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May 14, 2005
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Six University of Virginia boats advanced to grand finals on Sunday (May 15) after racing successfully in a series of preliminary, repechage and semifinal heats during the first day of the Aramark South/Central Region Women’s Rowing Championships on Saturday (May 14). The Cavaliers’ open four, novice eight, varsity four, second varsity eight, varsity eight and second novice eight crews compete in grand final competitions Sunday on Melton Hill Lake. Sunday’s competition begins at 9:00 a.m. Virginia won the overall championship and the South Region Championship last year.UVa’s open four boat finished second in its preliminary heat in a time of 7:36.70. Wisconsin won the heat in 7:33.20. Virginia qualified for the grand final in the open four by winning its repechage heat. UVa won in a time of 8:10.40 followed by Notre Dame, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Miami, and Duke. The Virginia crew included rowers Caitlin Mixter (coxswain), Abby Lynch, Anna Samaha, Jen Furstenau, and Victoria Moore. Virginia’s novice eight rowers won their preliminary heat in a time of 6:54.80 to advance to the grand final in that event. The Cavaliers defeated crews from Wisconsin, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The women in UVa’s first novice eight boat were Mary Eddy (coxswain), Diane Leigh, Maria Micocci, Lindsay Arnold, Kelsie Chaudoin, Lindsey Fletcher, Adrienne Egge, Laura Laycock, and Schafer Bomstein. UVa’s varsity four crew was ranked first in the South Region prior to Saturday’s competition and won its preliminary heat with a time of 7:23.80. The Virginia boat then won its semifinal heat in a time of 7:42.80 to advance to the grand final. Michigan finished second to the Cavaliers in the semifinal heat followed by Notre Dame, Ohio State, Louisville, and Texas. Rowers in the UVa boat included Michelle Ellison (coxswain), Mindy Fiesler, Annemarie Pitts, Allison Brennan, and Katrin Sydlik. Virginia’s second varsity eight crew, ranked first in the South Region entering the regatta, also advances to the grand final competition on Sunday. The Cavaliers won their preliminary heat (6:40.20) and after a delay due to severe thunderstorms, won their semifinal race (6:44.80). Michigan State finished second to UVa in the semifinal race followed by Wisconsin, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Clemson. The boat was comprised of Katie Hilton (coxswain), Beth Clark, Crystal MacLeod, Libby McCann, Kim Southern, Heather Gardner, Sara Lippa, Mary Dobmeier, and Chrissie Monaghan. The UVa varsity eight boat was ranked second in the South Region behind the University of Tennessee before the regatta. Virginia won its preliminary heat in a time of 6:37.50, with Tennessee finishing second in 6:42.19. The Cavaliers then won their semifinal race in 6:31.20 to advance to the grand final on Sunday. Michigan State finished second to Virginia in the semifinal race (6:34.18) and Wisconsin was third (6:34.21). The UVa boat was comprised of Launa Forehand (coxswain), Catelyn Coyle, Ashley Jones, Margaret Matia, Andria Haneman, Carolyn McMillan, Kerry Maher, Katie Yrazabal, and Melanie Kok. The Cavaliers’ second novice eight boat did not race on Saturday, but will compete on Sunday against Clemson, Tennessee, Ohio State, and Cincinnati. The crew will consist of Lia Bradley (coxswain), Megan Haughs, Liz Welsh, Sarah Tweedt, Kirsten Graslie, Katie Haney, Sara Peeling, Rachel Beck, and Jessica Merlo. The reserve is Jackie Tolson. Live results for Sunday’s regatta can be found at http://www.orra.org/results/south/2005/results.htm.