Virginia's Varsity Eight Named ACC Crew of the Week

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CHARLOTTESVILLE – Third-ranked Virginia’s Varsity Eight was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rowing Crew of the Week this week. The Cavaliers captured the Jessop-Whittier Cup, defeating 10th-ranked Southern California, 14th-ranked Harvard, 16th-ranked Washington State, Grand Valley State and UCLA Sunday at the San Diego Crew Classic in San Diego, Calif.

The Cavaliers’ Varsity Eight, composed of coxswain Sidney Thorsten (Atlanta, Ga.), Jennifer Cromwell (Bellevue, Wash.), Summers Nelson (Kansas City, Mo.), Desiree Burns (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), Katrin Reinert (Stuttgart, Germany), Martha Kuzzy (Minneapolis, Minn.), Kristine O’Brien (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Nora Phillips (Arlington, Va.) and Helen Tompkins (Friendswood, Texas) posted a winning time of 6:34.20. Virginia beat 10th-ranked Southern California, which posted a time of 6:37.48. UCLA (6:41.95) was third, followed by No. 16 Washington State (6:44.06), No. 14 Harvard (6:53.33) and Grand Valley (6:58.20).

Virginia became only the fourth team not from the West Coast to win the Jessop-Whittier Cup. Michigan (last year), Boston University (1991) and Wisconsin (1986) are the others.

UVa’s Varsity Eight led the entire race, increasing its lead as the race went on. The crew was 2-0 at the San Diego Crew Classic, as the Cavaliers won their heat Saturday to advance to the grand final.

UVa’s Second Varsity Eight also won both races it competed in at the San Diego Crew Classic and claimed the Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy with a first-place finish in a time of 6:50.00. Southern California (6:50.25) finished in second place, followed by Washington State (6:53.00), Virginia’s Third Varsity Eight (6:54.89), UCLA (6:57.07) and Harvard (6:59.54).

Virginia hosts No. 9 Michigan and No. 10 Ohio State on Saturday (April 3) at Lake Monticello. The Cavaliers will race the Wolverines at 9 a.m. in the morning session, followed by races vs. the Buckeyes at 1 p.m. Admission is free.