TITLE: Congratulating The University of Texas at Austin women's rowing team on winning the 2021 and 2022 NCAA national championships.

SUMMARY: Congratulating The University of Texas at Austin women's rowing team on winning the 2021 and 2022 NCAA national championships.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The members of The University of Texas at Austin women's rowing team secured a milestone achievement in the program's history by winning the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Division I national championships; and WHEREAS, With a second-place finish in 2019 and third place in 2018, the Longhorns had established themselves as strong title contenders heading into the 2021 season; at the national championship in Sarasota, Florida, Texas earned bronze in the Varsity Four and Second Eight competitions, placing the team in third with 60 points entering the First Eight finale; lightning in the area forced a nearly two-hour delay in the race, but the Longhorns were ready when the dramatic showdown finally got underway; the team pulled away in the final 250 meters to cross the finish line with a time of 6 minutes, 17.387 seconds, securing the first national title in program history; and WHEREAS, In 2022, Texas was undefeated and highly ranked throughout the season, and the squad followed a familiar script when it returned to Sarasota for the national championship competition; the Second Eight and Varsity Four squads picked up points in the early going with respective fourth-and third-place finishes; in the First Eight race, Texas jumped out in front and never looked back, clinching its second title with a time of 6 minutes, 10.733 seconds, nearly five seconds faster than the team's nearest competitor; and WHEREAS, Excelling with a true team effort, UT benefited from the valuable contributions made by each member of the 2021 and 2022 rosters: Rachel Rane, Kaitlin Knifton, Francesca Raggi, Alexandra Watson, Aspa Christodoulidis, Daisy Mazzio-Manson, Anna Jensen, Susanna Temming, Lisa Gutfleisch, Elizabeth Romero, Katelyn Bouthillette, Amber Harwood, Alexa McAuliffe, Izabela Krakic, Parker Illingworth, Samantha Schalk, Hannah Medcalf, Maria Valencia, Olivia Fogarty, Lanie Nitsch, Cassandre Korvink-Kucinski, Marlowe Eldridge, Claudia Destefani, Etta Carpender, Sophia Calabrese, Grace Holland, Kathia Nitsch, Marielle Corbett, Caitlin Esse, Carly Legenzowski, Jane McGee, and Nadja Yaroschuk; and WHEREAS, These determined student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Dave O'Neill, associate head coach Mary Lennington, assistant coaches Nick Baker and Mara Allen, graduate assistant Sara Neaves, and volunteer coaches Hanna Luft and John Graves; the team also received support from director of operations Rachel Sander, team trainer Laef Morris, and boatman/rigger Spencer Kales; and WHEREAS, By accomplishing the rare feat of winning back-to-back national championships, the Longhorn rowing team has distinguished itself as an emerging powerhouse in the sport, and the members of the 2021 and 2022 squads may take justifiable pride in their outstanding accomplishments; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate The University of Texas at Austin women's rowing team on winning the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Division I national championships and extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Longhorns as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hinojosa Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1122 was adopted by the House on April 28, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House