The Irish opened the 2013 season with nine race victories at the Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational, including five wins Sunday

Irish Roll On Final Day Of Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational

March 17, 2013

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The University of Notre Dame rowing team carried over its success from day one at the Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational, winning five of six contests Sunday during the final day of races on Melton Lake.

The Irish closed the weekend with nine total victories, including two apiece by the first women’s varsity eight, the second women’s varsity eight and the first varsity four.

“I think we had a good day today,” Notre Dame head coach Martin Stone said. “All crews raced well, and winning five of six races today was definitely a good way to conclude our training trip. We are looking forward to being back on the St. Joseph River next week.”

Notre Dame claimed its first win of the day in the women’s novice eight. The Irish launch posted a time of 7:15.20 to defeat Virginia (7:21.78) and Kansas (7:31.96).

The Irish next moved to scheduled showdowns with Louisville, Miami (Fla.) and Kansas, taking all four top times against the Cardinals and Hurricanes. Coxswain Abby Meyers, Joanna Poinsatte, Stephanie O’Neill, Joanna Mulvey, Courtney Gaberino, Erin Boxberger, Ailish Sheehan, Anna Kottkamp and Molly Bruggeman led the women’s first varsity eight to victory (6:39.50), outpointing Louisville by nearly four seconds (6:43.17). Miami finished in third place with a time of 6:50.84.

Notre Dame won its third straight race in the women’s first varsity four. The Irish launch of coxswain Danni Schneider, Stella Willoughby, Madeline Loper, Elizabeth Kelley and Kelsey Sekanick posted a victorious time of 7:43.20 to defeat second place Louisville (7:45.37). Miami again clocked in as the third boat (8:07.72).

The women’s first novice eight, comprised of coxswain Alex Techar, Mairead Dunne, Madeline Tournat, Sarah Kappers, Carson Canonie, Katherine Lumetta, Alexis Olson, Katie Skorcz and Emily Horton won its first race of the spring, edging Louisville for the third consecutive matchup. The Irish (7:18.00) out-sprinted the Cardinals (7:19.45) for first place.

Notre Dame closed its day of victories by taking the top position in the second women’s varsity eight race. Irish coxswain Christina Dines, Ingrid Woelfel, Carlee Beckler, Rose Doerfler, Olivia Kacsits, Paige Aiello, Kelsey Haddad, Teresa Blumenstein and Teresa Rubinger led the ‘A’ entry to its second win of the Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational, besting Saturday’s winning time by posting a 6:53.40. Miami claimed runner-up honors after clocking a 7:03.08 run. The Notre Dame ‘B’ entry of coxswain Becca MacDonald, Christine McGough, Anne Marie Blieszner, Elizabeth Linnemanstons, Hayley Johnson, Madelynn Conlin, Kelly Gawne, Kiersten DeHaven and Kelsey Murphy posted a time of 7:21.61 in its first launch of the season.

Kansas was the only team to defeat the Irish during the final Notre Dame race of the competition, winning the women’s second varsity four in 7:54.40. The Irish ‘A’ crew finished in second place (7:59.37).

Notre Dame returns to the water March 30 in East Lansing, Mich., taking part in a four-team competition with Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa.

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