April 30, 2000

Washington D.C. – The Second Novice Eight boat of Pamela Swan, Andrea Amoni, Katherine McCauldren, Laura Aull, Ann Gurucharri, Megan McPherson and Kathyrn Anderson placed first today, while the First Novice Eight and the Varsity Four placed second at the Georgetown Invitational on the waters of the Potomac River in Washington D.C. The Georgetown Invitational featured all of the BIG EAST schools that sponsor rowing including Georgetown, Syracuse, Rutgers, Connecticut, Miami, West Virginia and Villanova.

The Second Novice Eight crew won by over nine seconds as the Irish finished in a time of 6:56.10. Boston College was second at 7:05.39, while Syracuse was third (7:06.28) and Virginia Tech placed fourth (7:49.32).

The First Novice Eight crew of Erica Drennan, Beth Fruzynski, Elizabeth Jeub, Julia Kelly, Casey Buckstaff, Becky Luckett, Ashlee Warren, Ann Marie Dillhoff and Cassandra Murphy placed second to Rutgers in the grand final, while the Varsity Four boat of Cassie Markstahler, Kolleen Myers, Kassie Stuart, Mary Lampe and Sandra Peterson finished second to Syracuse in its final heat. The First Novice Eight boat finished with a time of 6:43.93, 12 seconds behind Rutgers. The Varsity Four boat finished nine seconds behind Syracuse with a time of 7:50.81.

In the varsity races, the First Varsity Eight boat of Claire Bula, Michelle Olsgard, Courtney Mercer, Kristen Vandehey, Katrina Ten Eyck, Lauren Lyons, Amy Braun, Katherine Burnett and Katie Besson did not advance to the finals, as it finished third to Miami and Boston College in its preliminary heat. The Second Varsity Eight crew of Erin Kiernicki, Megan Feely, Kerri Murphy, Maureen Carr, Elizabeth Nerney, Emily Deye, Allison Bartsh, Joslyn Moreau and Leah Ashe placed third in its race behind Syracuse and Miami with a time of 6:47.91.

“Overall, it was a pretty good showing to put four boats in the finals against established programs,” head coach Martin Stone said. “We are an up-and-coming program and are progressing nicely. I was proud of our Second Novice Eight crew as they won by over nine seconds. They pulled really hard and raced well.”

The Irish have the next two weeks off in preparation for the Central Regional Championships May 12-14, in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Results from Sunday’s Georgetown Invitational (finals only)

Women’s Novice Eight: 1. Rutgers 6:36.00, 2. Notre Dame 6:43.93, 3. Georgetown 6:58.31, 4. Boston College 7:04.32

Women’s Varsity Four: 1. Syracuse 7:41.27, 2. Notre Dame 7:50.81, 3. Temple 7:56.83, 4. Rutgers 8:04.79

Women’s Second Novice Eight: 1. Notre Dame 6:56.10, 2. Boston College 7:05.39, 3. Syracuse 7:06.28, 4. Virginia Tech 7:49.32

Women’s Second Varsity Eight: 1. Syracuse 6:39.27, 2. Miami 6:45.29, 3. Notre Dame 6:4.91, 4. Connecticut 7:03.00