After falling to North Carolina in every race at the Carolina Classic March 6, the rowing team took on nationally ranked Northeastern, untouted Tennessee and ACC rival Clemson at the Clemson Invitational Saturday with the same results.
Duke failed to place higher than third in any of the three varsity 8+ races it participated in. Meanwhile, 12th-ranked Northeastern won the first varsity 8+ race with a strong four second lead over second-place Clemson.
"Because Northeastern is a top-15 ranked team and Clemson has been moving very fast [in the polls]," head coach Robyn Horner said, "we wanted to see if we were ready as a team to make the step up."
Northeastern went on to win the first novice 8+ race, its only other victory of the day.
Clemson made the strongest showing overall, winning both the second and third varsity eight races and dominating the varsity fours, taking both first and second place in the only race of the day.
Duke moved up all of its freshman rowers to compete in the three varsity races, eliminating any entries in the novice competition, in which Northeastern and Clemson flip-flopped wins.
"Most of the teams in bigger competition have mostly varsity eights, not novices, so we wanted to get everyone accustomed to racing at that level," freshman varsity 8+ rower Joanna Hingle said.
The regatta marked the Blue Devils' first 2,000-meter races this season. The Carolina Classic used a 1,000-meter format due to straight-water constrictions.
The weekend also marked the first time this season Duke competed against a nationally ranked foe.
The Blue Devils will row two varsity boats at the San Diego Crew Classic next weekend to try to improve their record and continue to learn more about the team's abilities.
"We'll be racing the top teams in the country, and it'll allow us to measure exactly how far we need to progress," Horner said.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.