Erin McConnell and the varsity eight boat earned BIG EAST Boat of the Week honors, the fourth consecutive award for Notre Dame rowing.

Irish Varsity Eight Wins BIG EAST Boat Of The Week

May 2, 2012

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – After winning two races at the BIG EAST Invite April 28, the University of Notre Dame rowing team’s varsity eight boat was tabbed BIG EAST Boat of the Week, it was announced by the league Wednesday.

The crew of coxswain Abby Meyers, Courtney Gaberino, Morgan Kelley, Stephanie O’Neill, Erin McConnell, Olivia Kacsits, Ailish Sheehan, Erin Boxberger and Molly Bruggeman got their day started by winning a preliminary heat against Iowa and West Virginia by open water in the morning. The Irish boat defeated the Hawkeyes by 15.7 seconds and the Mountaineers by 26.3 second to advance to the grand final.

In the grand final, Notre Dame took to the water against Syracuse, Iowa and Louisville. Despite trailing to Syracuse heading into the final 500m, the Irish used a strong final five strokes to pull ahead and claim a .6 second victory over the Orange at 6:41.0 while also defeating the Hawkeyes (6:47.6) and Cardinals (6:51.2) by open water.

Notre Dame now turns its attention to postseason rowing as it heads to Mercer, N.J., May 13 for the 2012 BIG EAST Women’s Rowing Championship. The Irish will go in search of their ninth consecutive conference crown.

–ND–