George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
EAWRC Eastern Spirits
Women's Rowing wraps up season at Eastern Sprints
5/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 18, 2009
CAMDEN, NJ -
The George Washington University women's rowing team wrapped up its 2009 season Sunday, May 17 at the Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges (EAWRC) Eastern Sprints on the Cooper River in Camden, NJ.
The novice eight of coxswain Ayla Richards, Anne Kuznicki, Lisa VanArsdale, Morgan Ellis, Courtney Pendray, Estee Gabel, Sarah Hill, Rachel Roth and Mackenzie Hovermale missed qualifying for the petite final by three-seconds in an exciting race with Boston University. In the third level final, the Colonials once again had a tight race, finishing ahead of A-10 rival Rhode Island but falling by two seconds to Boston College for a 14th place finish overall.
"The novices had their best races of the season this weekend," said assistant coach Maria Bokulich. "We would have loved to make the petite final in the eight this year and the girls were very close to doing just that. It was tough to see their disappointment, but I liked the fire and determination they had going into their final race. In the third level final, Boston College put up a great fight and made our novice eight work harder than in any of their previous races. I loved seeing how exhausted the girls were coming off the water. That sort of aggressiveness and determination is what we will need from all our athletes next year."
GW's novice four also had a tough race during their heat but moved on to the petite final. The crew of Meghan Kearns, Sarah Thompson, Sara Levi, Katy Rooney and Maryann Grunseth lost a close race with Boston College, but finished ahead of Syracuse and Navy for a ninth place finish overall.
"Even though the novice four hadn't rowed together for very long, they put together a strong showing in the heat," said Bokulich. "In the petite final, Columbia jumped out to an early lead but our four was right in the mix of the field with Boston College, Syracuse and Navy. It was a very competitive race and I was proud to see them push themselves all the way down the course to take third."
The Colonials varsity eight of Katie Martin, Elizabeth Austin, Alexandra Hamilton, Carrie Rollman, Ellen VanCleave, Stephanie DeFlora, Allison Miedema, Bonnie Scott and Rhonda Crittle finished 18th overall. After a sub par performance in the heats, the crew had a much better row in the third level final and was more competitive with many of the crews it had faced throughout the season.
"We certainly would have liked to have finished higher in the varsity eight race," said head coach Robert McCracken. "However, the fact that the novices were able to come out today and have great races bodes well for the future of the program. As they move to varsity next year, it will give us the depth we have sorely lacked the past few years and help increase the competitiveness of the team. We will be a young team, but I think the tough losses this year have sparked a fire in the team to come back the next year ready take the steps necessary to get GW back into a competitive position at both A-10's and Sprints. I'm excited to see what they're able to accomplish."
The Eastern Sprints marked the final race for the team's three seniors; Elizabeth Austin, Bonnie Scott and Karri Hester.
Players Mentioned
