Rachael Louie, after capturing back-to-back Petite Final victories with the open four, will look to guide the second varsity eight to gold at the Central Region.

Irish Rowing Heads To Big East Championships

April 23, 2010

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame rowing team returns to the water on Sunday morning, April 25 at Lake Quinisigamond in Worcester, Mass., in search of its seventh consecutive BIG EAST title.

Races are tentatively scheduled to commence with eight preliminary heats in the varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four and novice eight races. Race finals will follow at approximately 11:30 (ET) beginning with the novice four final.

“We are going into this weekends races just like any other race, with a great deal of respect for every other team competing,” head coach Martin Stone says. “There will be challenges provided from every team involved in the BIG EAST just like there are every year, but all we can control is how fast our own boats are going.”

Last season the Irish were able to extend their conference win streak to six after holding off second-place Syracuse for the title. Notre Dame finished the day’s races with 112 team points with the Orange ending with 97. Louisville rounded out the top three with a 92 point total.

The Irish will take to the water as the overall No. 1 seeded boat in each of the second varsity eight, varsity four, novice eight and second varsity four races. Louisville enters as the No. 1 seed in the varsity eight heats, while Villanova is the top seed in the novice four final.

For complete coverage of the races be sure to check the BIG EAST Rowing Championship Central page located on www.bigeast.org. Also check back with und.com for a recap of the Irish from the 2010 BIG EAST Championship.

Irish Boatings for BIG EAST Championship:

Varsity Eight: Sarah Keithley (coxswain), Casey Robinson, Stephanie O’Neill, Emily Crosby, Katherine Linnemanstons, Brittney Kelly, Erin McConnell, Stephanie Gretsch, Morgan Kelley

Second Varsity Eight: Rachael Louie (coxswain), Katie Suyo, Megan Keegan, Christina Buckley, Kathryn Monahan, Braegan Padley, Emily Backer, Carol Ann Michel, Genevieve Malone

Varsity Four: Jacqueline Gilhooly (coxswain), Andrea Archer, Valerie Brencher, Paige White, Joanna Poinsatte

Second Varsity Four: Alicia Elliott (coxswain), Meghan Salomon, Sarah Thompson, Brianna Krafcik, Ching-Ting Hwang

Novice Eight: Abby Meyers (coxswain), Teresa Blumenstein, Meghan Vertovec, Maura Newell, Kelsey Haddad, Paige Aiello, Caitlin Connelly, Alyce Kanabrocki, Kelsey Murphy

Novice Four: Lauren Peartree (coxswain), Jennifer Lee, Kimberly Dunbar, Camille Sharrow, Analisa LaMair-Orosco

Notre Dame All-Time Results At BIG EAST Championship:Year:        Place:      Points:2009:        1st     1122008:        1st     1232007:        1st     1182006:        1st     1222005:        1st     1162004:        1st     1162003:        2nd     1102002:        2nd     1092001:        2nd     93