Five First-Place Finishes Highlight UVa's Rivanna Romp

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CHARLOTTESVILLE The University of Virginia rowing team finished first in the women’s varsity eight, women’s novice eight, women’s four, women’s double and women’s single on Sunday at the 2007 Rivanna Romp. Teams from Georgetown, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas competed in the regatta, held at the Rivanna Reservoir.

The conditions were ideal, with the temperature rising to the 50-degree mark and the wind staying calm.

“I was really pleased today and the first boat had a really good race,” head coach Kevin Sauer said. “After having a chance to win the varsity eight at the Princeton Chase a few weeks ago, I was happy that they came out today and got the victory.”

The Cavaliers “A” boat won the first event of the day, the women’s varsity eight. The boat, made up of Caitlin Mixter (coxswain), Jennifer Cromwell, Katrin Sydlik, Lauren Hutchins, Augusta Stratos, Andria Haneman, Amanda Chase, Desiree Burns and Rebecca Ryall finished in first place with a time of 13:21.62. In second place was the Tennessee “A” boat with a time of 13:40.07.

The Virginia “B” boat came in third (13:46.84) after strong performances by Michelle Ellison, Alexandra Clair, Victoria Burke, Kelsie Chaudoin, Marie Long, Allison Brennan, Lauren Shook, Claudia Blandford and Helen Tompkins.

Out of 16 entries in the varsity eight, the UVa “C” and “D” teams came in sixth (14:16.12) and 12th (14:49.25), respectively.

The novices took to the water next, with the Virginia “A” boat garnering another victory with a time of 14:23.22. The “B” boat finished second (15:25.66).

Highlighting the women’s four race was a 1-2-3 finish by teams from Virginia. The Cavalier’s “A”, “B” and “C” boats finished with times of 15:30.97, 15:35.58 and 15:55.48, respectively.

Capping off a successful day for the Cavs was two more victories in the double (15:30.06) and single boats (17:41.08).

“What a great day to finish the fall season,” Sauer said. “We had some impressive times and I give credit to the visiting teams for making this a great regatta.”