May 11, 2008
#12 Shorewomen Race at ECAC's
Varsity Eight Wins Third-Level Final

WORCESTER, MA -- The 12th-ranked Washington College women's rowing team competed in the varsity eight and varsity four at the ECAC National Invitational Championships held yesterday and today on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, MA. The Shorewomen's varsity eight won two races, winning a consolation semifinal and the third-level final.

The varsity eight was fourth in its heat in 7:00.599. Fourth-ranked Ithaca won the heat in 6:47.983, New Hampshire was second in 6:49.891, and 13th-ranked Smith was third in 6:55.472. Washington finished ahead of fifth-place Vassar (7:06.634) and sixth-place R.I.T (7:14.630). The varsity eight then won its consolation semifinal in 7:03.898 to advance to the third-level final. Vermont was second in 7:05.078, Colby was third in 7:05.710, 14th-ranked Wellesley was fourth in 7:06.783, and R.I.T. was fifth in 7:22.546. Washington then won the third-level final in 7:17.792. Eleventh-ranked Mount Holyoke was second in 7:20.436, while Mary Washington was third in 7:24.867. Fourth-place Hamilton (7:28.348), fifth-place Vermont (7:30.218), and sixth-place Colby (7:31.484) rounded out the race.

Sophomore Krista Jensen (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) served as coxswain of the Shorewomen's varsity eight. Sophomore Caroline Perry (Baltimore, MD/Notre Dame Prep) sat stroke, sophomore Ericka Malow (Brunswick, OH/Brunswick) was in the seven seat, junior Jenna Lapointe (Newark, DE/Newark) was in the six seat, sophomore Amy Smith (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville) sat in the five seat, junior Carol Funck (Etters, PA/Red Land) was in the four seat, freshman Sarah Holland (Towson, MD/Notre Dame Prep) sat in the three seat, senior Courtney Jensen (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) was in the two seat, and sophomore Emily Hofler (Baltimore, MD/Mercy) was the bow.

The varsity four was fourth in its four-boat heat in 8:19.876. Connecticut College won the heat in 7:50.969, Coast Guard was second in 7:56.010, and WPI was third in 7:58.249. Washington then raced Trinity (CT) and Union in the petite final of the varsity four, finishing second in 8:53.819. Union won the race in 8:52.850, while Trinity was third in 9:00.403.

Freshman Susanne Vaughn (Bel Air, MD/John Carroll) was the coxswain of the Shorewomen's varsity four. Freshman Catherine Black (Kimberton, PA/Academy of Notre Dame) sat stroke, senior Laura Ratz (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis) was in the three seat, freshman Christine Lynch (Lincoln University, PA/Avon Grove) sat in the two seat, and junior Nicole Rousseau (Burlington, CT/Miss Porter's School) was the bow.

The Shorewomen's varsity eight awaits word on a possible first-ever at-large boat bid to the NCAA Division III Championships. Selections are scheduled to be announced Tuesday.