United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Women's Crew - Bears Send Two to Grand Final at NE Championships

WORCESTER, MASS.--(5/4/08)--Coast Guard posted solid times and good performances at the New England Rowing Championships held Saturday and New England Fours Championship held Sunday. The races were held under cloudy skies on Lake Quinsigamond.

The Women’s Novice 8 started off the racing in a fast heat and placed fourth to qualify for the petite finals. In the afternoon, the Bears fought hard through the 2000m course but couldn’t match the speed of Holy Cross and Trinity and finished 3rd in the race and 9th overall. The Novice 8 consisting of Allison Murray (Fr), MaryKate Netrour (Fr), Amy Harrison(Fr), Amanda Cousart (Fr), Gina Guiterrez (Fr), Sara Barrs (Fr), Mia Reizun (Fr), Jenifer Lopez (Fr), and Amy Tow (Fr) will prepare for a rematch this weekend at the ECAC National Invitational.

The Women’s Varsity 8 (4th CRCA/NCAA Division III national poll), posted a solid performance in the heats besting Bates (3rd CRCA/NCAA Division III national poll) and qualifying for the afternoon’s Grand Final. In the Grand Final, a race that featured the top four Division III teams in the nation along with two Division I teams the Bears had some trouble off the start and never quite got their footing, finishing 6th overall. The Bears look to some exciting racing next weekend at the ECAC National Invitational where the top 10 Division III Schools in the country will go head to head. The Varsity 8 consisted of Tenley Barna (Sr), Adriana Knies (Sr), Maggie Ward (Jr), Emily Holt (Sr), Lauren Milici (Jr), Kate Dacimo (Fr), Sarah Jane Otey (Fr), Sarah Southard (Sr), and Rory Keegan (Jr).

Racing continued on Sunday with the Women’s Varsity 4 and Second Varsity 4 racing in the New England Fours Regatta. The Second Varsity Four, with Ester Kim (Sr), Ashley Stone (Jr), Nikki Dillinger (Jr), Lelea Littlefield (Jr), Yahaira Cervantes (So) got off the line well, but suffered a jumped slide in the middle of the race and fell off the pace of the leaders, finishing 4th. Due to time limitations, there was no petite final for the event.

The Women’s Varsity Four, had a great race in the heats, placing 2nd to Simmons and qualifying for the Grand Finals. In the afternoon, going against the top boats in other programs, the Bears finished an impressive 5th. Jess Vogel (So), Sarah Thompson (Jr), Shannon McElroy (Sr), Alyssa Van Delden (Jr), and Cate Gillen (Jr) will look to challenge for a medal in the ECAC National Invitational next weekend.