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

WORCESTER, MASS.--(3/28/09)-- The Bears opened the season on Lake Quinsigamond racing DI Holy Cross, and NEWMAC rival Mt. Holyoke and Wesleyan. In the first race of the morning, Coast Guard’s 1V started out strong, but could not match the early season speed of Holy Cross and Wesleyan. They fought with Mt. Holyoke down the entire 2000m, but came up short and finished 4th in a time of 7:11.6.

The 1V consisted of Cate Gillen (Sr), Rory Keegan (Sr), Sarah Thompson (Sr), Lauren Millici (Sr), Maggie Ward (Sr), Kate Dacimo (So), Sarah Jane Otey (So), Kelli Normolye (Fr), and Alyssa Van Delden (Sr).

In the second varsity race, which was the first 2000m race for most of the rowers, Coast Guard posted a solid performance, placing 3rd behind Holy Cross and Mt. Holyoke and beating Wesleyan in a time of 7:39.1. Christa Funk (Fr) coxed the boat rowed by Rachel Thomas (Fr), Juliana Harvin (Fr), Katie Ward (Fr), Holly Madden (Fr), Erin Nolan (Fr), Yahaira Cervantes (Jr), Rachel Douglas (Jr), and Fallon Bowers (Fr).

Thomas and Katie Ward got little rest between their next race as Coast Guard hot seated into the first novice race. Sarah Troch took over as cox’n and Tiffany Zehnle (Fr), Emily Balingit-Clark (Fr), Katie Priesing (Fr), Christine Roselli (Fr), Tara Mead (Fr), Beki Redstone (So) joined Thomas and Ward.

The first attempt to start the race resulted in clashing oars and the event had to be restarted. Once on the course for the second time, the Bears raced well finishing ahead of Wesleyan and Mt. Holyoke’s second boat, but behind Holy Cross and Mt. Holyoke’s first boat in a time of 8:11.4.

With a solid group of experienced rowers, Coast Guard is working to bring along the large group of young, powerful novices to return to championship form as the season progresses.