By Donnie Conley, Media Relations Student Assistant
The University of Tennessee Lady Vol rowing team posted a runner-up finish at the 2011 Conference USA Championships, held on Melton Hill Lake on Saturday.
The Lady Vols were narrowly edged by conference champion Texas in the day’s final race, the varsity eight grand final. Texas crossed the line in 6:28.80, less than a second before the Big Orange finished the 2,000-meter course in 6:29.26. The outcome of that race determined the overall champion, as the two teams were neck-and-neck for most the afternoon.
Tennessee also posted runner-up finishes to the Longhorns in the second varsity eight and varsity four grand finals.
The Orange and White’s ‘A’ boat took home a gold medal in the Open 4+, defeating the Longhorns with a time of 7:08.80. Tennessee’s ‘B’ shell netted a bronze medal in that race, finishing in 7:22.16
UT had four rowers earn conference honors. Ashley Fichthorn, Hilary Epes and Erika Lauderdale were named All-Conference-USA, while Erika Johnson was named to the league’s All-Academic team. This is Lauderdale’s second consecutive year receiving league honors, as she was chosen as last season’s C-USA Newcomer of the Year.
 

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