October 16, 2011

Novice Four Wins at Occoquan Chase

LORTON, VA -- A first-place finish in the college novice women's four highlighted the Washington College women's rowing team's performance as the Shorewomen opened their fall regatta schedule at the Occoquan Chase in Lorton, VA. 

The Shorewomen's first race of the day was the open women's eight. The Shorewomen placed ninth of 14 boats in the race in 17:56.46, edging out Mid-Atlantic Conference Rival Franklin & Marshall, the only other NCAA Division III boat in the race, which finished 10th in 17:56.71.  George Mason won the open women's eight in 16:07.40, North Carolina was second in 16:14.91, and George Washington was third in 16:18.54. 

Sophomore Emily Langan (Salisbury, MD/James M. Bennett) served as coxswain of the Shorewomen's boat in the open women's eight. Senior Kendall Mulligan (Southbury, CT/Westover School) sat stroke, senior Jenna Moore (Catonsville, MD/Mount de Sales) was in the seven seat, sophomore Valeria DiLisi (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) sat in the six seat, junior Kate Fiori (Boston, MA/Dana Hall School) was in the five seat, junior Brittany Krueger (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) was in the four seat, freshman Kelly Bird (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) sat in the three seat, sophomore Elizabeth Hilton (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) was in the two seat, and freshman Ashley Myles (Chester Springs, PA/Owen J. Roberts) was the bow.

Next to race were Washington's two entrants in the open women's four. The Shorewomen's "A" boat finished seventh of 26 boats in 19:07.30, while their "B" boat was 15th in 19:54.39. Franklin & Marshall was again the only other Division III school in the race, finishing 22nd in 20:49.40.  North Carolina won the race in 18:01.35, followed by George Mason in second in 18:02.97 and TBC Racing Club in third in 18:09.66.

Senior Kelsie Jensen (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) was the coxswain of the Shorewomen's "A" boat in the open women's four. DiLisi sat stroke, Fiori was in the three seat, Krueger was in the two seat, and senior Jenna Moore (Catonsville, MD/Mount de Sales) was the bow. 

Sophomore Abigial Thomas (Hughesville, MD/Thomas Stone) was the coxswain of the Shorewomen's "B" boat in the open women's four. Mulligan sat stroke, junior Lauren Halla (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield Memorial)  was in the three seat, Hilton sat in the two seat, and sophomore Emily Sahadeo (College Park, MD/Elizabeth Seton) was the bow.

The Shorewomen's first-place novice boat capped off the team's day, winning its 10-boat race by more than 50 seconds with a time of 19:29.94 as the only Division III boat in the race. George Mason was second in 20:20.64, while Lafayette was third in 22:54.89.

Freshman Samantha Mason (Preston, CT/Norwich Free Academy) was the coxswain of the Shorewomen's boat in the college novice women's four. Bird sat stroke, freshman Taira Sullivan (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island) sat in the three seat, Myles was in the two seat, and freshman Krystal Brostek (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was the bow.

The Shorewomen return to action Saturday as the majority of the team will compete at the Philadelphia Children's Foundation Regatta in Philadelphia. The Shorewomen will also have one boat competing at the Head of the Charles in Boston the same day.