MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Duquesne rowing team opened its 2021 spring slate on Saturday, making the trek to West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers in a scrimmage on the Monongahela River in Morgantown.
The Dukes were competing for the first time in over a year since they took part in the Metro Cup in Florida on March 7, 2020.
The racing conditions were cool but sunny and the water was flat for an ideal return to competition, as Duquesne and WVU squared off with one 8+ and one 4+.
The Dukes raced a series of timed practice pieces against WVU, starting with some lower rate pieces (between 16-22 SPM). Duquesne was getting adjusted to its lineups which changed just 12 hours prior to departure due to COVID protocols, and WVU pulled ahead quickly on those pieces.
However, as the day progressed, the DU rowers settled into their lineups in both the 8+ and the 4+. As the Dukes began rowing some shorter, higher rate pieces (between 24-28 SPM), Duquesne put up a very strong challenge to the Mountaineer boats. WVU pulled ahead on every piece, but not by much. Once the Dukes hit the higher rates, the Dukes gave the Mountaineers a strong fight.
DUQUESNE LINEUPS
8+
4+
Assistant Coach Joe Setting: "From my perspective, our team has handled the COVID situation remarkably well, as they have done since the start. The positive test result affecting our lineups happened right out of the gate in our first race in over a year. We lost nearly third of varsity in one day and seeing how the team seamlessly adapted and pressed forward I found rather inspiring. Coaches often work hard to inspire the athletes, but in this case, I found inspiration in the them."
NEXT UP
Duquesne travels to Ypsilanti, Mich. to take on Eastern Michigan on Saturday, April 10.
