March 21, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Rivanna Reservoir) - The Bucknell women's rowing team opened a busy weekend facing Virginia on Friday afternoon on the Rivanna Reservoir and had a solid showing despite dropping all seven races to the Cavaliers. The novice four was the closest race as the Bison crew was just over three second behind first-place Virginia.

"This was a great way to start off the racing season," said Bucknell head coach Stephen Kish. "I am proud of the performance of every boat. We have done a good job of staying focused with two more races coming up this weekend."

The marquee event of the day was the varsity eight. Virginia's varsity eight is ranked No. 2 nationally in the latest CRCA poll, while Bucknell received one vote in that poll. The Cavaliers won the race, finishing in 6 minutes, 39.20 seconds, while the Bison finished in 6:54.5. Bucknell's eight consisted of Jeweliet Yost (coxswain), Jennie Trayes (8), Sophie Bird (7), Katherine Brewster-Duffy (6), Page Kannor (5), Victoria Dudley (4), Carol Schoenecker (3), Caitlin Doolin (2) and Whittney Henry (bow).

The day opened up with the varsity four and Virginia claimed the top two positions in 7:39.03 and 7:40.89 and Bucknell's four taking third in 7:46.51. The Bison boat was made up of Gina DiDomenico (coxswain), Jessica Glenn (4), Anna Johnson (3), Meghan O'Reilly (2) and Allison Martens (bow).

Next up was the second novice eight of Robyn Roogow (coxswain), Emily Fry (8), Caitlyn Oster (7), Katherine Palmer (6), Kathleen McConahy (5), Caitlin Hirson (4), Amy Goodfriend (3), Stephanie Diegel (2) and Christa Rotolo (bow). The Bison (7:58.54) finished second to the Cavaliers (7:26.63).

The third race of the day was the second varsity eight and Bucknell's boat of Mary Wilson (coxswain), Taylor Jordan (8), Meghan Murphy (7), Olivia Knodt (6), Ashley Gennings (5), Brittany Kaplan (4), Stephanie Frank (3), Elizabeth Regan (2) and Devon Mitchell (bow) took second in 7:10.06. Virginia crossed the finish line in 6:51.90.

The novice eight was the final eight race of the day and Bucknell finished second in 7:25.0 to Virginia's 7:10.7. The Bison boat was: Katherine Relle (coxswain), Christina Cabiati (8), Emily Gadsden (7), Megan Crawley (6), Allegra Collandro (5), Sarah O'Laughlin (4), Betsy O'Leary (3), Elizabeth Barnett (2) and Cherith Elliott (bow).

The novice four, which featured Bucknell's smallest time deficit of the day, finished in 8:18.1, while Virginia won in 8:14.8. The Bison boat was comprised of Brenna English-Loeb (coxswain), Lindsay Cover (4), Brianna Clarke (3), Megan Long (2) and Eleanor Hoffman (bow).

The second varsity four wrapped up the day of racing. The Cavaliers took the first two positions in 7:51.8 and 7:55.6, while the Bison took third in 8:00.3. Bucknell's second varsity four was: Lauren Yee (coxswain), Kerry Sullivan (4), Cara Cox-Steiner (3), Kathleen Janosco (2) and Diana McCullough (bow).

Bucknell, which faced Virginia at 5 p.m. Friday, will have a short turnaround as it will take on North Carolina Saturday morning at 8 a.m., also at the Rivanna Reservoir. The Bison will then travel from Charlottesville to Fairfax, Va., and race against Delaware and George Mason on the Occoquan Reservoir.

Varsity Four
1. Virginia (A) - 7:39.03
2. Virginia (B) - 7:40.89
3. Bucknell - 7:46.51

Second Novice Eight
1. Virginia - 7:26.63
2. Bucknell - 7:48.54

Second Varsity Eight
1. Virginia - 6:51.90
2. Bucknell - 7:10.06

Varsity Eight
1. Virginia - 6:39.20
2. Bucknell - 6:54.50

Novice Eight
1. Virginia - 7:10.7
2. Bucknell - 7:25.0

Novice Four
1. Virginia - 8:14.8
2. Bucknell - 8:18.1

Second Varsity Four
1. Virginia (A) - 7:51.8
2. Virginia (B) - 7:55.6
3. Bucknell - 8:00.3