May 11, 2010

Results

PHILADELPHIA - The Duquesne rowing team capped its spring season with a successful weekend at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. The event is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States, with over 100 colleges and Universities from the United States and Canada.

The novice four of Mary Ketchner (cox), Colleen Cannan (stroke), Kristen Marracino, Liz Rhodes and Meghan McNichol (bow) finished in fifth place in the closest heat of their event. The crew finished one second behind fourth place Barry Universitry and seven seconds behind third place Case Western. In the 40-boat race, the Dukes placed 27th in their heat.

For the first time in program history, Duquesne took an eight to this prestigious event. The women's novice eight of Nicole Campbell (cox), Emma Foley (stroke), Maria De Iuliis, Samantha Newhart, Laura Dunlap, Hilary Lovett, Teresa Guzik, Katharine Phillips and Christina Flood (bow) finished third in their heat ahead of Marist and Pittsburgh with a time of 7:46.667 to advance to the semifinals on Saturday morning.

In a tight semifinal race, the Dukes were even with Purdue through the Strawberry Mansion Bridge, but began to fall behind at the 1000m mark. The boat finished third in the semifinal ahead of Rochester and Vermont with a time of 7:11.923. The crew missed qualifying for the final by 11 seconds.

The varsity four of Desirae Smith (cox), Rachael Thornton (stroke), Taylor Shannon, Maria Scinico and Kelly Beck (bow) also advanced to the semifinal in their event. In a very close heat DU finished just .1 seconds behind Delaware in third place to advance to the semifinal with a time of 07:28.364.

Unfortunately they finished third in the semifinal to Robert Morris University and Lafayette crossing in 7:40.988, missing the final race.

The Dad Vail completes another successful season for the Duquesne rowing team.