Spartan Rowers Conclude Season Placing Third in SSC

SARASOTA, Fla. - The University of Tampa finished third in the Sunshine State Conference Regatta on Friday morning. The Spartans competed in both races, fielding an 8+ and a 4+, to be eligible for the conference title.

Beginning the morning, the 4+ boat took the water consisting of Taylor DeMesa, Megan Richardson, Kaitlyn Goff, Kristin Anderson, and coxswain Carley Donovan. The Spartans finished in third with a time of 7:51.6 earning four points.

The final raced consisted of five Varsity 8+ boats from Barry University, Florida Tech, Nova Southeastern, Rollins College, and University of Tampa. Melissa Ciesielski, Mary Lee Gibson, Bridget Hickey, Ashia Bales, Madeline Pelon, Alice Rodgers, Rhianna Seferian, Meagan Hoffman, and coxswain Lauren Head filled the eight-person boat. The Spartans placed fifth with a time of 7:47.4 earning six points.

The Spartan rowers claimed a third place overall in the Sunshine State Conference with 10 points behind conference champions, Barry University with 18 points, and the runner-up, Nova Southeastern with 17 points. Senior Melissa Ciesielski was named to the All-SSC Rowing Team. Freshman Ashia Bales was also named to the All-Freshman/Novice Team.