Kathryn Monahan and the second varsity four

Irish Win Three Races Against Indiana, Purdue And Eastern Michigan

March 28, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s rowing team earned three race victories against Indiana, Purdue and Eastern Michigan on Sunday at the Eagle Creek Reservoir. The Irish varsity four “A” boat got the day started with a 13 second win over the Hoosiers.

“The fours had a great performance today,” said Irish head coach Martin Stone. “The third varsity eight also had a very fine race. I thought the varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight did not race up to expectations, with the varsity eight and second varsity eight having poor middle 1,000’s. I thought Indiana raced very well and we would have needed to be much sharper in order to catch them.”

The crew of coxswain Christina Dines, Kiersten DeHaven, Joanna Poinsatte, Sarah McShane and Ching-Ting Hwang coasted to the victory after crossing at 7:56.0. Indiana crossed next at 8:09.6 and were followed by the Notre Dame “B” boat of coxswain Jacqueline Gilhooly, Teresa Rubinger, Elizabeth Linnemanstons, Courtney Gaberino and Anna VanEgmond at 8:14.8. Purdue and Eastern Michigan rounded out the varsity four field, crossing in 8:34.7 and 9:18.5, respectively.

In second varsity eight action, the Hoosiers held on for the victory after finishing in 7:32.0. The Irish crew of coxswain Rachael Louie, Teresa Blumenstein, Paige Aiello, Kelsey Murphy, Katie Suyo, Kelsey Haddad, Erin McConnell, Megan Keegan and Morgan Kelley finished second in 7:37.9, while Purdue placed third at 8:08.8.

The second varsity eight “B” (third varsity eight) race saw the Irish turn in another wide margin of victory as the boat of coxswain Danni Schneider, Sarah Thompson, Meghan Salomon, Nicole Michels, Kathryn Monahan, Brianna Krafcik, Stephanie Boggs, Valerie Brencher and Paige White finished 18 second ahead of second place in 7:24.0. Purdue crossed in second at 7:42.6 with Eastern Michigan finishing third in 7:55.8.

The closest race of the day came in varsity eight action as Indiana’s boat claimed the victory by one second over the Irish, crossing at 6:28.0. Notre Dame’s boat of coxswain Abby Meyers, Katherine Linnemanstons, Genevieve Malone, Carol Ann Michel, Olivia Kacsits, Molly Bruggeman, Emily Crosby, Stephanie O’Neill and Stephanie Gretsch just missed that mark, finishing at 6:29.0. Purdue and Eastern Michigan rounded out the four-boat field, crossing at 6:46.9 and 7:25.0, respectively.

In novice eight competition, Indiana led the whole way, claiming the win at 7:22.0. Notre Dame’s boat of Jackie Corey, Kelsey Schneider, Ingrid Woelfel, Julia Lynch, Anne Marie Blieszner, Teresa Rubinger, Anna VanEgmond and Elizabeth Linnemanstons finished second at 7:39.6. Purdue placed third at 7:42.5.

Second varsity four action saw the Irish send two boats to the water, with the crew of coxswain Jacqueline Gilhooly, Nicole Michels, Kathryn Monahan, Valerie Brencher and Paige White winning in 7:37.4. Indiana claimed second at 7:45.0 and was followed across the line by the Notre Dame “B” boat of coxswain Danni Schneider, Meghan Salomon, Alyce Kanabrocki, Analisa LaMair-Orosco and Brianna Krafcik at 7:48.9.

The Irish next return to the water in three weeks when they head to the Gold River Challenge on April 16-17 in Sacramento, Calif.

Race Results:
Varsity Four1. Notre Dame "A" - 7:56.0; 2. Indiana - 8:09.6; 3. Notre Dame "B" - 8:14.8; 4. Purdue - 8:34.7; 5. Eastern Michigan - 9:18.5
Second Varsity Eight Race A1. Indiana - 7:32.0; 2. Notre Dame - 7:37.9; 3. Purdue - 8:08.8
Second Varsity Eight Race B1. Notre Dame - 7:24.0; 2. Purdue - 7:42.6; 3. Eastern Michigan - 7:55.8
Varsity Eight1. Indiana - 6:28.0; 2. Notre Dame - 6:29.0; 3. Purdue - 6:46.9; Eastern Michigan - 7:25.0
Novice Eight1. Indiana - 7:22.0; 2. Notre Dame - 7:39.6; 3. Purdue - 7:42.5
Second Varsity Four1. Notre Dame "A" - 7:37.4; 2. Indiana - 7:45.0; 3. Notre Dame "B" - 7:48.9

–ND–