March 30, 2003

West Lafayette, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s rowing team faced Indiana and Purdue in the Indiana Classic on Sunday afternoon. The Irish won each of the four varsity races in the regatta.

In the varsity eight, Notre Dame’s crew of Cassie Markstahler, Kati Sedun, Natalie Ladine, Alice Bartek, Meghan Boyle, Casey Buckstaff, Rachel Polinski, Erica Drennen and Danielle Protasewich finished with a time of 6:37.66 to win the race by 8.17 seconds over Purdue, which had a time of 6:45.83. Indiana was third with a time of 6:53.08.

Notre Dame was victorious once again in the second varsity eight. The Irish crew of Kathryn Long, Shannon Mohan, Kerri Murphy, Kathleen Welsh, Devon Hegeman, Christy Donnelly, Meredith Thornburgh, Katie Chenoweth and Melissa Felker was first with a time of 6:40.09, a whopping 18.25 seconds over the Boilermakers (6:58.34). Indiana raced a time of 7:05.78.

In the varsity four, the Notre Dame boat of Kacy McCaffrey, Katie McCalden, Jacqueline Hazen, Katie O’Hara and Andrea Amoni, came in first place with a time of 7:25.87. The Irish won by 4.58 seconds over the Hoosiers (7:30.45) and finished 16.92 seconds ahead of Purdue (7:42.79).

Notre Dame took first and third in the second varsity four. The B shell of Maureen Gibbons, Tricia David, Ann Mulligan, Jennifer Connolly and Courtney Quinn won the race with a time of 7:45.08, beating Purdue by 2.75 seconds (7:47.83). Following Purdue by 0.92 seconds, the Notre Dame A shell of Rebecca Campbell, Kristen Mizzi, Sarah Keefer, Antionette Duck and Megan Sanders finished the race in a time of 7:48.75.

In the novice eight race, the Irish crew of Shannan Lettieri, Pamela Jefson, Julie Lewis, Morgan Ertel, Danielle Stealy, Jenna Redgate, Catherine Schmidt, Andrea Doud and Sarah French was first in 7:18.50. Purdue was second in 7:22.30, while Indiana was third in 7:28.5.

In the second novice eight race, Notre Dame placed third. The crew of Alison Kelly, Meghan O’Neil, Megan Sheehan, Fallon Shields, Nikki Karis, Marcia Luttio, Rebecca Spohrer, Rachel Kemp and Laura Joyce finished in a time of 6:55.0. Indiana was first in 6:47.6, followed by Purdue in 6:53.2.

The rowing team will be in action again on Sunday, April 6, at Iowa.

Results of the Indiana Classic:

Second Varsity Four: 1. Notre Dame B 7:45.8; 2. Purdue 7:47.8; 3. Notre Dame A 7:48.8

Varsity Eight: 1. Notre Dame 6:37.70; 2. Purdue 6:45.8; 3. Indiana 6:53.0

Second Novice Eight: 1. Indiana 6:47.60; 2. Purdue 6:53.20; 3. Notre Dame 6:55.0

Novice Eight: 1. Notre Dame 7:18.50; 2. Purdue 7:22.30; 3. Indiana 7:28.50

Varsity Four: 1. Notre Dame 7:25.90; 2. Indiana 7:30.50; 3. Purdue 7:42.50

Second Varsity Eight: 1. Notre Dame 6:40.90; 2. Purdue (LWT) 6:58.30; 3. Indiana 7:05.8