CLEMSON, S.C. — Returning to the water for the first time in approximately a year, the Clemson rowing team kicked off its spring 2021 campaign with a solid showing in the Carolina Cup. The Tigers hosted the event on a cool, sunny Saturday afternoon at their Lake Hartwell boathouse. The No. 9 Duke Blue Devils won the three-team regatta at the Clemson Rowing Docks, while Clemson served as the runner-up and the North Carolina Tar Heels finished in third place.
For the second year in row, Clemson earned second place in the event. The 2020 Carolina Cup was the lone regatta in which the Tigers competed during a spring season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time around, Clemson finished in second place in all four of the events that counted toward the point totals, and the Tigers amassed 80 points in all. The Blue Devils totaled 90 points and were crowned the Carolina Cup champions, earning the prized Daughtry Cup as a result. The Tar Heels rounded out the field with 70 points.
On a somewhat windy day with fairly calm waters, Clemson performed particularly well in the 1V8+ and 1V4+ events, finishing narrowly behind Duke in both. The Tigers' 1V8+ boat, which was coxed by Kate Hadley, crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 6:31.0. As for Clemson's 1V4+ boat, which Julia Suplick coxed, it finished just a second and a half behind Duke's victorious boat, clocking in at 7:24.4.
Results: * = race does not count toward point totals
Point Totals 1. Duke 90 2. Clemson 80 3. North Carolina 70
1V8+ 1. Duke 6:26.8 (36 points) 2. Clemson 6:31.0 (32 points) 3. North Carolina 6:47.2 (28 points)
2V8+ 1. Duke 6:28.3 (27 points) 2. Clemson 6:48.5 (24 points) 3. North Carolina 6:59.5 (21 points)
1V4+ 1. Duke 7:22.9 (18 points) 2. Clemson 7:24.4 (16 points) 3. North Carolina 7:47.9 (14 points)
Up Next: The Tigers will venture to Oak Ridge, Tenn., for their next regatta. Clemson is set to take part in the Cardinal Invite, which the Louisville Cardinals will host. The two-day event is scheduled for March 13-14 at Melton Lake. It will feature 8 a.m. sessions on both Saturday and Sunday.