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Dec. 6, 2002

CHARLOTTESVILLE – University of Virginia women’s head rowing coach Kevin Sauer has announced the signing of 11 individuals to letters of intent with Virginia during the early signing period last month. The individuals include Renee Albers (Beamsville, Ontario), Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli (Newton, Mass.), Yvonne Epp (Vineland, Ontario), Heather Gardner (Flintstone, Ga.), Katie Hilton (St. Louis, Mo.), Melanie Kok (St. Catherines, Ontario), Sara Lippa (Bala Cynwyd, Pa.), Bethany Macri (Exeter, N.H.), Kerry Maher (Welland, Ontario), Libby McCann (Arlington, Mass.) and Anna Samaha (Tampa, Fla.).

“I’m very excited about this class,” Sauer said. “This group has a lot of talent and I believe it’s one of the best classes in the country.”

Virginia finished fourth in the team standings at the 2002 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships. UVa is one of just four schools to compete in each of the six NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.

Following is additional information on each of the individuals signing a letter of intent with Virginia last month.

Individuals Signing Letters Of Intent With Virginia

Renee Albers, 6-0, (Beamsville, Ontario), Eden High School – Her four was the Canadian, U.S. and English Women’s Henley champion.

Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli, 5-10, (Newton, Mass.), Kent School – Her eight was the English Women’s Henley champion.

Yvonne Epp, 5-9, (Vineland, Ontario), Eden High School – Her four was the Canadian, U.S. and English Women’s Henley champion.

Heather Gardner, 6-2, (Flintstone, Ga.), Chattanooga Christian High School – Winner of the single at several head races in the fall of 2002. She is second in the United States in Junior National Team testing.

Katie Hilton, 5-2, (St. Louis, Mo.), St. Joseph’s Academy – Was a coxswain at the 2001 U.S. Junior Development Camp and the 2002 U.S. Junior Selection Camp.

Melanie Kok, 5-7, (St. Catherines, Ontario), Eden High School – Her four was the Canadian, U.S. and English Women’s Henley champion.

Sara Lippa, 5-8, (Bala Cynwyd, Pa.), Lower Merion High School – Rowed for Community Rowing in Boston last summer. Her eight was second at the U.S. Nationals. She is fourth in the United States in Junior National Team testing.

Bethany Macri, 5-11, (Exeter, N.H.), Phillips Exeter Academy – Her eight was second at the New England Championships.

Kerry Maher, 6-0, (Welland, Ontario), E. L. Crossley High School – Her U-23 eight was the 2002 Canadian Henley champion.

Libby McCann, 6-0, (Arlington, Mass.), Arlington High School – Rowed for Community Rowing in Boston last summer. She was a member of the crew that won the junior eight at the 2002 Canadian Henley Championships. She is 13th in the United States in Junior National Team testing.

Anna Samaha, 5-8, (Tampa, Fla.), Plant High School – Participated in the 2002 U.S. Junior Development Camp and was the stroke of the four at the U.S. Nationals.

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