Cavalier Rowers Competed on International Stage

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Aug. 8, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Members of the University of Virginia women’s rowing team have been busy during the summer months, competing internationally for their home countries.

Senior captain Kerry Maher (Welland, Ontario) helped Canada win the petite final at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Hazewinkel, Belgium in late July. Canada overtook Ukraine after an initial slow start and spent the rest of the race extending its lead. Many members of Canada’s eight row for U.S. universities and compete together during their school summer holidays. An All-South Region honoree, Maher was named to the 2006 All-ACC team.

Four incoming freshmen also competed at the Junior World Championships in Amsterdam over the weekend.Desiree Burns (Hyde Park, N.Y.), Jenny Cromwell (Seattle Wash.), and Nancy Graves (Washington, N.C.) helped the U.S. women to a silver medal in 6:28.08. Romania (6:25.46) claimed the gold medal and Germany (6:30.00) pushed past Russia (6:31.49) for the bronze. Lauren Hutchins (Vancouver, B.C.) competed for Canada in the double, finishing sixth overall (7:23.8).

Senior All-American Melanie Kok (Catharines, Ontario) will race for Canada in the World Championships in the lightweight quad in Eton, England, on August 20-27. Also a 2006 first-team All-South Region and All-ACC honoree, Kok helped the UVa varsity eight to the 2006 ACC championship.

Former UVa rower Lindsay Shoop (`04) will race for the U.S. in the eight at the World Championships.

Virginia opens its fall slate on October 22 at the Head of the Charles in Boston.