NSU Sharks News

Varsity 8 to race in Repechage on Saturday for chance to reach Grand Final

Cherry Hill, N.J. (May 29, 2009) - Nova Southeastern University rowing's Varsity 4 boat made a final push in the last few hundred meters to win its heat as the Sharks' Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 boats got competition underway at the 2009 NCAA Division II Championships on the Cooper River.

"Overall, the racing the top-notch," said head coach John Gartin. "With the NCAAs, you got to be ready to race. It is an exciting thing and I'm proud of the girls competing with the best in the nation. This is a unique championship being that Division I, II and III teams are all competing at the same site and same days. The chance to see it all and the atmosphere of the regatta is electrifying."

The Varsity 4 boat of coxswain Heather Clayton (Fr., Mullica Township, N.J.), Lauren McElhenny (Sr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Claire Kurlychek (Fr., Land O'Lakes, Fla.), Ashley Lofria (So., Chesapeake, Va.) and Jessica Sutter (Fr., Miami Beach, Fla.) crossed the finish line in a race-winning time of 8:14.45 in order to win the heat and advance to Sunday's Grand Finals. Rounding out the heat was Philadelphia in second (8:17.39), Western Washington in third (8:22.03) and Mercyhurst in fourth (8:28.29). Philadelphia, Western Washington and Mercyhurst will all race in Saturday's Repechage at 10:30 a.m., with the top two boats moving on to the Grand Final.

"It was a fabulous first day for our Varsity 4," said Gartin. "It is the first time in which we've had a Four boat go directly to the finals, so we are excited about that. It was clear that with the other boats that any two of the three can win tomorrow and go to the final. I'll be curious to see who will come out of the Repechage. We have a big target on our back for the finals, but it will be a great event on Sunday."

Earlier on Friday, NSU's Varsity 8 boat finished third in its heat. The boat of coxswain Marissa Stickles (So., Jacksonville, Fla.), Rachel Garbaj (Sr., Valrico, Fla.), Amber Bishko (Sr., Orlando, Fla.), Megankate McDonald (Sr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Cindy Fong (Sr., Miami, Fla.), Samantha Moriarty (So., Satellite Beach, Fla.), Kayla Schock (Fr., Roswell, Ga.), Elizabeth Hurley (So., Syracuse, N.Y.) and Emma Jordan (Fr., Sebastian, Fla.) finished in a time of 7:37.35. Western Washington won the heat with a time of 7:01.72, while Dowling was second in the heat with a time of 7:27.48. By winning the heat, Western Washington automatically qualified for the Grand Finals. Meanwhile, NSU and Dowling will be in Saturday's Repechage.

"It was not quite the race that we had hoped for," said Gartin. "Afterwards, as a group, we discussed several things that we can do to be more effective and the feeling is that we can make it to the Grand Final. It will be a big boost reach the Grand Final and mix it up with the other three boats."

In the other Varsity 8 heat, Mercyhurst finished in a race-winning time of 7:01.16 to advance to the Grand Final. Seattle Pacific was second with a time of 7:02.35 and Philadelphia was third with a time of 7:13.07. Both Seattle Pacific and Philadelphia will join NSU and Dowling in the Eights Repechage.

Saturday's Eights Repechage is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. The top two boats move on to the Grand Final on Sunday, while the other two boats will race in the Eights Petite Final on Sunday. Fans can follow the action at the 2009 NCAA Division II Championships via Live Results or a free Live Video and Audio broadcast. Click on the links below to access the Live Results or the Live Video and Audio Broadcast.

Live Results

Live Audio and Video - Saturday

Live Audio and Video - Sunday

Friday's Results
Varsity 8 - Heat 1
1. Mercyhurst - 7:01.16*
2. Seattle Pacific - 7:02.35
3. Philadelphia - 7:13.07

Varsity 8 - Heat 2
1. Western Washington - 7:01.72*
2. Dowling - 7:27.48
3. NSU - 7:37.35

*Advances to Varsity 8 Grand Final on Sunday

Varsity 4 Heat
1. NSU - 8:14.45*
2. Philadelphia - 8:17.39
3. Western Washington - 8:22.03
4. Mercyhurst - 8:28.29

*Advances to Varsity 4 Grand Final on Sunday

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