March 16, 2013
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The University of Notre Dame rowing team logged four race victories during the opening day of races Saturday at the Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational on Melton Lake. Both the first and second women’s varsity eight, the women’s varsity four and the women’s novice four posted first place times on day one.
The Notre Dame varsity eight launch of coxswain Abby Meyers, Joanna Poinsatte, Stephanie O’Neill, Joanna Mulvey, Courtney Gaberino, Erin Boxberger, Ailish Sheehan, Anna Kottkamp and Molly Bruggeman posted a time of 6:40.70 to defeat Duke by more than four seconds (6:44.80). Kansas finished in third place with a time of 7:08.61.
In the first varsity four, coxswain Danni Schneider, Stella Willoughby, Madeline Loper, Elizabeth Kelley and Kelsey Sekanick cruised to victory in 7:53.90. Kansas followed in the runner-up position (8:00.40), with Duke claiming third (8:01.60).
The Notre Dame second varsity eight, comprised of coxswain Christina Dines, Ingrid Woelfel, Carlee Beckler, Rose Doerfler, Olivia Kacsits, Paige Aiello, Kelsey Haddad, Teresa Blumenstein and Teresa Rubinger led the pack by nearly 10 seconds, clocking in at a winning 6:55.30. Duke (7:04.40), Kansas (7:11.90) and Buffalo (8:01.20) rounded out the race field.
The Irish novice four claimed the fourth victory of the morning in a heads-up race with Buffalo. Notre Dame logged a time of 8:31.90 to defeat the Buffalo launch (8:49.20).
In other morning action for Notre Dame boats, the first novice eight (7:21.98), the second varsity four (7:51.06) and third varsity four (8:09.60) earned runner-up finishes in each crew’s respective races.
The Irish competed against defending national champion Virginia and Georgetown during the afternoon slate, claiming second place in the women’s first varsity eight (6:36.02), women’s second varsity eight (6:47.20), women’s first varsity four (7:35.10), women’s second varsity four (7:44.00) and women’s third varsity four (8:12.18).
The second day of the Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational resumes Sunday on Melton Lake. Notre Dame is scheduled to face Louisville and Miami (Fla.) during its final series of races Sunday morning.
–ND–