United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Women's Crew

WORCESTER, MASS.--(4/19/08)--The US Coast Guard Academy women's varsity eight (ranked #3 in the CRCA/NCAA Division III weekly regional poll) defeated #9 Mt. Holyoke, Smith College (#10), Wellesley, WPI, and Clark on Saturday at the 2008 NEWMAC Championships in Worcester, MA to win their second straight NEWMAC championship.

Seniors Adriana Knies and Sarah Southard were named to the varsity All-conference team while freshman Sarah Jane Otey was named to the Novice All-conference team.

The Bears varsity eight finished just over five seconds ahead of Mt. Holyoke in a time of 6:52.07. The Bears pushed out to a four seat advantage through the first 500m of the race and as the crews passed through the halfway, or 1000 meter mark, the Bears continued to extend their lead to just over a length.

Having established almost a length of open water lead as they entered the final 500 meters of the race, the Bears maintained a solid cadence to finish strong and capture the title. The Varsity 8 was comprised of Tenley Barna (Sr), Knies (Sr), Maggie Ward (Jr), Emily Holt (Sr), Lauren Milici (Jr), Kate Dacimo (Fr), Otey (Fr), Southard (Sr), and Rory Keegan (Jr).

In both the women's varsity second varsity eight and novice eight events, the Bears fell off the pace through the first 500 and were never able to challenge for a top three position. Although disappointed in their finish, the Novices took away some good racing experience as well as pride in the fact that they improved their time difference on Mt. Holyoke by over a minute since they met in the season opener, clearly demonstating hiw far they have come as walk-on novices to sprint racing in just three weeks. The second varsity will now break back out into fours and continue their training in preparation for the New England Fours Rgatta in two weeks.

Tomorrow tha Bears will race their Thames River rivals, Connecticut College, beginning at 4:30.