Mustang Rowers Record Top-20 Finishes in Three Races

[PonyPride]

Mustang Rowers Record Top-20 Finishes in Three Races
Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Four Each Place in Top 20

May 18, 2008

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (SMU)--The Mustang rowers finished out the Aramark South/Central Sprints strongly, winning the D Finals of the varsity and second varsity eights.

The varsity eight rallied to a closely-contested finish in the D Final, crossing the line just a half a second ahead of North Carolina. Liz Hagerty coxed Meredith Walter, Krystal Kulka, Alexa Tuszynski, Alex Austin, Hannah Hansing, Ellen Cieszkiewicz, Amanda DeGroff and Julie Pollard to a 7:09.2 finish, giving them the advantage in their heat. The Mustangs placed 19th overall.

The second varsity eight of coxswain Emily St. John, Kelly McKinley, Bianca Medici, Katelyn Verner, Chantal Bohren, Ashley Luther, Lauren Doucet, Janice Merideth and Caroline Merideth rowed to an open-water victory in their final. The 2V8 pulled a 7:17.2, finishing nearly nine seconds ahead of North Carolina. The Mustangs claimed 19th place overall in that event as well.

SMU's varsity four rowed in the C Final Sunday. Emily Van Volkinburg coxed Danielle Nehf, Caitlin Ludwig, Nicolle Keogh and Lauren Hadaway to an 8:30.88 finish, giving the Mustangs sixth place in their final and an overall place of 18th.

In the team standings, the Mustangs scored a total of 60 points, claiming 20th overall and 10th in the South region. Virginia won the overall title its fifth South region title in six years with 407 points.

The Mustangs must now await NCAA selection, which will be held Tuesday.