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Dec. 16, 2003

CHARLOTTESVILLE – University of Virginia women’s head rowing coach Kevin Sauer has announced the signing of six individuals to letters of intent with Virginia during the early signing period last month. The individuals include Lindsay Arnold (Milton, Mass.), Mindy Fiesler (Jacksonville, Fla.), Andria Haneman (Absecon, N.J.), Diane Leigh (Maitland, Fla.), Caitlin Mixter (Oakton, Va.) and Stephanie Neidig (Palo Alto, Calif.).

“I’m very excited about this class,” Sauer said. “It represents coxswains and rowers who know how to race. They will bring a great deal of character and leadership to the University of Virginia and our rowing program.”

Virginia finished sixth in the team standings at the 2003 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships. UVa is one of just four schools to compete in each of the seven NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.

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

Lindsay Arnold, 5-9, (Milton, Mass.), Noble and Greenough School – She competed in the USRowing Nationals and the Canadian Henley during the summer of 2003. Her boat earned the silver medal in the Junior 4+ and the bronze medal in the Junior 8+ at the USRowing Nationals. Her crew won the gold in the Junior 8+ at the Canadian Henley. Her coaches are Betsy VanOot and Ethan Curren.

Mindy Fiesler, 5-9, (Jacksonville, Fla.), Stanton College Prep – Her high school crew earned a goal medal in the Youth 8 at the Head of the Charles Regatta in 2000 and she was the stroke of the silver medal eight at the 2003 Junior World Championships in Athens, Greece. She has also earned four Florida State Championships and three silver medals from Nationals. Her coaches are Steve Hitchcock and Tess Durant.

Andria Haneman, 5-11, (Absecon, N.J.), Holy Spirit High School – As a high school junior, her Varsity 8 earned gold medals at the Philadelphia City Championships, the Stotesbury Cup and Nationals, and was also the English Henley Peabody Cup winner. As a sophomore, her Varsity 8 earned gold medals at the New Jersey State Championships, the Philadelphia City Championships and Nationals. She also attended the Junior National Selection Camp in California and was awarded the Rita McDevitt Memorial Award for outstanding sportsmanship and leadership at Holy Spirit High School. Her coaches are Joe Welsh, John Slattery and Ed Rehill.

Diane Leigh, 5-9, (Maitland, Fla.), Winter Park High School – She attended the 2002 and 2003 Junior National Team Selection Camp and is a three-time Florida State Champion. Her coach is Mike Vertullo.

Caitlin Mixter, 5-4, (Oakton, Va.), Phillips Exeter Academy – She was the coxswain for the Phillips Exeter Academy’s 2V8 that won the New England Championship last spring. She coxes for the Potomac Boat Club men in the summer and competed with them at the Independence Day and Canadian Henley. She is Exeter’s first boat coxswain this year. Her coaches are Allen Rosenberg and Chandra Glick.

Stephanie Neidig, 5-4, (Palo Alto, Calif.), Sacred Heart Prep – She is the founder, varsity coxswain and co-captain of the Silicon Valley Crew. Her coach is Mike Still, a former Olympian and World’s gold medalist. She also works with two-time Olympic coxswain Yasmin Farooq. She coxed in the Women’s Youth 4 event at the Head of the Charles Regatta the last three years. She attended the U.S. Junior Women’s National Team Selection Camp in 2002 and 2003. She also attended the U.S. Junior Women’s High Performance Camp in January of 2003.

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