May 5, 2008

Camden, N.J. - The UMass women's rowing team raced on Saturday at the ECAC Championships in Camden, N.J. The Varsity Eight took fourth, while the JV Eight placed second, and the Novice Eight placed third.

The Varsity Eight boat finished fourth overall with a time of 6:50.93. Bucknell placed first in the event, followed by SUNY Buffalo, and Rhode Island. After the Minutewomen, Rutgers placed fifth and Colgate sixth.

Bucknell, who finished with a time of 6:50.39, also edged the Minutewomen's Second Varsity Eight boat by just over a second. To qualify for the Grand Final, the Minutewomen won their first heat with a time of 6:58.97. UMass beat out SUNY Buffalo, Rhode Island, Rutgers, and George Mason in the race.

The Varsity Four raced to a fifth place finish (8:17.86). They were defeated in the Grand Final by Bucknell, URI, Bucknell B, and SUNY, defeating Temple. The Novice Eight grabbed the bronze, finishing six seconds behind winner URI, and three behind Rutgers. The Minutewomen raced faster than George Mason, SUNY, and Marist.

Here is the complete list of UMass boats:

Varsity 8: Andrea Morand, Sarah Marsan, Airlina Burrill, Ali DiMatteo, Rachael Nealer, Kelly Barrett, Erin Kelly, Terri O'Brien, and Coxswain Dana Pulda.

JV 8: Liz Euiler, Julie Markus, Samm Smith, Haley Fitzgerald, Dani Vollman, Amanda Mawn, Claire Champine, and coxswain Molly Morgan.

Novice 4 (racing in the Varsity 4 event): Liz Tran, Steph Stark, Jen Dolan, Ana Tocco, and coxswain Carley Payne.

Novice 8: Emily Hagan, Ellis Brewster, Jen Coyne, Rachel Spieldberg, Meredith Kearney, Chelsea Wakeham, Ellie Brazenall, and coxswain Megan Donovan.

UMass will head to Philadelphia, Pa. to race in the Dad Vail Regatta May 9-10.