FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. –  Nova Southeastern University women's rowing fifth-year head coach Devin Fay has officially announced the 2019 spring schedule, slated to start Feb. 16 with a scrimmage against fellow Sunshine State Conference member Barry University.
 
The Sharks competed in three races this past fall in preparation for the spring, highlighted by the prestigious Head of the Charles in Cambridge, Mass., where the team would finish ninth place out of 40 boats.
 
"We changed the racing schedule pretty significantly last year, adding the DII Crossover race, Central Sprints in Oklahoma and the SIRA (Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association) Championship. We really liked the flow of the schedule last year, so we're going to stick with those changes and keep it a very similar schedule to last spring," explained Fay.
 
"In years past we have held back on some of the racing early in the spring," Fay added. "Last year we talked as a team and the squad expressed interest in getting into it sooner. This year we are delivering on that promise. We are not going to hold them back and we will let the horses race. We are going to let the women compete from the get-go and hopefully that translates into a great impact on our top-end speed and the enjoyment of racing."
 
Following a friendly scrimmage with Barry, the Sharks will host their annual home race on Feb. 23, against back-to-back SSC Champions Florida Tech. Prior to the race, the Sharks will honor all graduates of the senior class. For their spring training trip, the Sharks will stay home this year to train in familiar territory with the hopes of getting better water and recovery.
 
On March 22, Nova Southeastern will travel to Orlando, Fla. to race Trinity College in a scrimmage. Both the varsity eight boats A and B will race 2k at the OARS (Orlando Area Rowing Society) on the shore of Little Lake Down. The next day, the Sharks head to Melbourne, Fla. for a double-dual format against SSC competition – Embry Riddle, Florida Tech and Barry. This race will serve as the season opener at Canal 54, the former home of the SSC Championships. Both the varsity eights and fours will be competing in a random-draw dual.
 
Like last season, the Sharks will travel to Oklahoma City on March 29-30 to compete in the Central Sprints, hosted by University of Central Oklahoma.

"This is a huge race for us to compete against schools from the West in the DII Crossover that normally we would not be able to race against," Fay noted.

The following week the Sharks will begin their championship season at the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association (FIRA) Championships, Apr. 5 in Sarasota, Fla. The race will take place at Nathan Benderson Park, which is well known as one of the finest courses in the country. The Sharks will use this opportunity to not only race their typical lineups but also to experiment with different crews as it will be a full team race.

The Sharks will continue to travel as they head to the SIRA Championship Regatta, which will take place in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Apr. 19-20 at Melton Lake Park. The competition will feature several schools, all of which will participate in heats before determining a final race.
 
After consecutive championship races, NSU will be plenty prepped for the Sunshine State Conference Championships on Apr. 26, back in Sarasota at Nathan Benderson Park. Unlike the SIRA Championship, this race will be a one-and-done between six boats as the Sharks will travel north their varsity eight and four boats.
 
On Apr. 28, the Sharks will drive up to Orlando, Fla., to participate in the UCF Regatta on Lake Pickett. Nova Southeastern will use this opportunity to send up some of the lower boats to race.
 
The Sharks wrap up the regular racing season on the weekend of May 10-11, visiting out-of-state waters to compete in the renowned Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pa. – now in its 80th year. Finally, this year's NCAA National Championship will take place in Indianapolis, Ind. from May 31-June 2 at Eagle Creek.
 
"I do not think the fall results were indicative of what the team is capable of, I think we have a group that has a lot more to give as a squad," Fay added. "In the past few years, we have been getting deeper and deeper and I think we are continuing that trend this year. We have challenged this group to come together, listen to each other and continue to push one another. So far, the team has responded well in their quest to become more competitive and we are having fun doing so. I am excited to see this team compete within itself and continue to race hard this spring season."
 
Be sure to follow @NSU_Rowing on Twitter or visit NSUSharks.com for updates and results. To keep in touch with the team be sure to follow nsu_rowing on Instagram and @NSURowing on Facebook.