April 9, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The 16th-ranked Irish rowing team returns to action this weekend as they take on USC and UCLA on Ballona Creek on Sat., April 10 in Marina del Rey, Calif. It will mark the second consecutive regatta that both of Notre Dame’s opponents are ranked in the top 20, following competing against seventh-ranked Michigan State and 10th-ranked Michigan on March 27.
“I feel that over the past couple of weeks we have gotten stronger as a team and the team is very excited to get out there and compete against USC and UCLA,” head coach Stone says. “It is another great challenge for us this weekend against elite talent after getting the chance to compete against both Michigan and Michigan State, two top-10 teams, our last time out on the water.”
The Irish enter this weekend’s regatta ranked in a tie for 16th in the nation, according to the latest Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA)/USRowing poll (April 7). USC enters as the eighth best team nationally, while UCLA sits at 15th overall.
“Both teams this weekend (UCLA and USC) are very strong teams that have a lot of speed,” Stone remarks. “They both had strong showings at the San Diego Crew Classic. USC lost by only a couple of seconds to Virginia in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight races and UCLA wasn’t far off of that. Virginia is the number one team in the nation so that shows how tough these two teams will be.”
Race action will be broken up into two sessions with two teams going head-to-head during each session. In the morning races, which are scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m., Notre Dame will be facing off with UCLA. The afternoon slate is tentatively planned to commence at 4:45 p.m. with the Irish and Trojans facing one another. Varsity eight competition will get the morning session going while the novice eight race will be first to take place during the afternoon session.
Each session will include varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four and novice eight races.
Check back with und.com for a complete recap of how the Irish fared against the Trojans and Bruins.
Projected Boatings:
Varsity Eight:
Sarah Keithley (C), Morgan Kelley, Casey Robinson, Katherine Linnemanstons, Stephanie Gretsch, Erin McConnell, Emily Crosby, Stephanie O’Neill, Brittney Kelly
Second Varsity Eight:
Rachael Louie (C), Stephanie Boggs, Katie Suyo, Megan Keegan, Joanna Poinsatte, Genevieve Malone, Carol Ann Michel, Emily Backer, Christina Buckley
Novice Eight:
Abby Meyers (C), Sarah Thompson, Meghan Vertovec, Maura Newell, Kelsey Haddad, Paige Aiello, Analisa LaMair-Orosco, Alyce Kanabrocki, Kelsey Murphy
Varsity Four:
Jacqueline Gilhooly (C), Braegan Padley, Valerie Brencher, Kathryn Monahan, Paige White
Directions to Course:
Take the 405 South (San Diego Freeway).
Take the 90 West (Marina del Rey Freeway)
Follow the 90 all the way to its end (turns into a surface street)
Make a LEFT on “Mindanao.”
Make a LEFT on “Lincoln Blvd.”
Make a RIGHT on “Fiji Way.”
Address: 14001 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA
The Aquatic Center is located at the end of Fiji Way, behind the Villa Venetia Apartment Complex. Parking is also available off Fiji Way at the Fisherman’s Village (five minute walk from the boathouse) and at Dock 52 (15 minute walk from the boathouse).