United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Women's Crew - Youthful Bears Strong at NE Championships

WORCESTER, MASS.--(5/1/10)--In their last full squad competition of the season at the 2010 New England Championships, Coast Guard Women’s Rowing proved once again that, although young, the Bears are strong competitors.

The women’s novice four raced first (second race of the season) placing well in their heat (8:54.335), second only to primary fours school Amherst College. Then, during their final, the Bears finished fourth overall (9:42.024). Three of our women in this boat learned to row just this season. Racing for Coast Guard, was (Frosh) C Stephanie Bugyis, (Frosh) 4 Gabrielle Lemly, (Frosh) 3 Rachel LeClaire, (Frosh) 2 Christine Case, and (Frosh) 1 Jamie Wright.

Next off the line was Coast Guard’s second Varsity 8 comprised of (Soph) C Sarah Troch, (Frosh) 8 Morgan Wilder, (Frosh) 7 Jessica VanHorn, (Soph) 6 Kathleen Priesing, (Soph) 5 Christine Roselli, (Sen) 4 Rachel Douglas, (Frosh) 3 Rachel Rand, (Frosh) 2 Colleen Patton, and (Frosh) bow Tahnee Zaccano. Racing in a tough heat, in a boat with mostly first year rowers, the Bears finished 8 seconds out of third, and 2 seconds out of 4th behind Holyoke and Simmons with the top two finishers from the heat continuing on to the Grand Final. In the Petite Final, the Bears placed fifth overall (8:10.74), concluding their season of ‘racing up’.

In a very fast heat against top seeds including Williams College and UVM, Coast Guard’s Women’s Varsity 8 consisting of (Soph) C Julianna Harvin, (Soph) 8 Rachel Thomas, (Soph) 7 Holly Madden, (Soph) 6 Tiffany Zehnle, (Soph) 5 Emily Balingit-Clark, (Soph) 4 Erin Nolan, (Frosh) 3 Jessica Ward, (Soph) 2 Kelli Normoyle, and (Frosh) bow Catherine Schmitz posted a time of 7:09.667 – one second off of Simmons, two off of Holyoke, nearly identical to Smith College (Heat 2), and faster than two boats in both Heats 2 and 3. Disappointed that their finish order did not place them in the desired Final, Coast Guard took some time to reflect and rallied for their afternoon race. Crossing the finish line first in a time of 7:33, 14 seconds ahead of Wesleyan, once again the Bears posted a time faster than 2 boats in the final ahead of them.

The women look to ECAC’s as an opportunity to race stronger and smarter.