April 17, 2010

PENNSAUKEN, NJ - The novice four boat captured gold to lead the Explorers at the Atlantic 10 Women's Rowing Championship on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, NJ, on Saturday morning. Senior Lauren O'Donnell also earned her second straight All-Conference Second Team honor.

The rowers enjoyed strong tailwinds on a sunny day for the championship.

The novice four won by over four seconds in clocking an 8:19.00 on the 2,000 meter course. Saint Joseph's was second in 8:23.08, followed by Massachusetts in 8:30.26. The novice four boat was coxed by Bridget Gonzalez, with Kathleen Fittipaldi, Taylor Engles, Katherine Henry and Juliana Granese rowing.

The varsity eight finished second in the petite final, clocking a 7:16.17. Alexandrea Rumsey was the coxswain, and rowing were Katie Hunt, Erin Zielinski, Lauren O'Donnell, Kellen Burke, Kelli Karver, Desiree Cappuccio, Emma Brown and Valorie Luke. Dayton won the petite final in 7:06.00 and Duquesne rounded out the results with a 7:39.76.

The second varsity eight clocked an 8:06.13 in the petite final. In the boat were coxswain Gonzalez, Fittipaldi, Engles, Henry, MJ Bolte, Laura Mastrangelo, Granese, Erin Ceccoli and Jen Plummer.