NSU Sharks News

NSU collects three second-place finishes and one fifth-place showing

Jacksonville, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern University women's rowing got the fall season underway on Saturday at the 21st First Coast Head Race. The Sharks finished second in three races and fifth in another.

"It was encouraging to see how young we are, how much speed we already have and know there's more to be found among this developing team," said head coach John Gartin"

In the Women's Championship 8+, coxswain Marissa Stickles (Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.), Lauren Boudreau (Fr., Waterford, N.Y.), Claire Kurlychek (So., Land O' Lakes, Fla.), Alyssa O'Donnell (So., Ballston Spa, N.Y.), Amber Morrell (Fr., Brigantine, N.J.), Christie McElhenny (So., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Megan Kim (Sr., Valrico, Fla.), Jessica Sutter (So., Miami Beach, Fla.) and Samantha Moriarty (Jr., Satellite Beach, Fla.) raced 18:19.0. The Sharks finished behind race-winner Florida and edged out Jacksonville by one second for second place.

"The Varsity 8 had a solid race," said Gartin. "I'm really happy with the initial speed they are showing this early in the fall. They faced several challenges to faced them head on. They did a great job as a Varsity 8 on the course."

NSU "A" double of Kayla Schock (So., Roswell, Ga.) and Elizabeth Hurley (Jr., Fort Mill, S.C.) finished second in their event.

Meanwhile, the Novice 4 boat of coxswain Heather Clayton (So., Mullica Township, N.J.), Boudreau, Morrell, Lauren Travis (Fr., Jupiter, Fla.) and Kim finished second to Florida State.

In the Women's Championship 4+, the Sharks' Varsity 4 boat finished fifth despite a delayed start. Coxswain Stickles, O'Donnell, Kurlychek, Sutter and Moriarty finished in a time of 21:28.0.

"They started the other boats early, so we were virtually racing on our own," said Gartin. "However, they did a nice job running the course by themselves, which included Marissa Stickles creating an imaginary opponent for the boat to chase. The times were close among the third, fourth and fifth places. I have a feeling if we directly against those two other boats, our time would be closer and perhaps we would be in front of those boats."

NSU will host its Alumni Race next Saturday, Oct. 17 at Holland Park at 8 a.m. The Sharks then face Barry and Florida Tech in a Tri-Meet on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 a.m., in Miami.

First Coast Head Race Results Women's Championship 4+ 1. Jacksonville "A" - 20:10.0 2. Orlando RC - 20:46.0 3. Jacksonville "B" - 21:04.0 4. Jacksonville "C" - 21:20.0 5. NSU - 21:28.0 6. Florida - 22:50.0 7. Central Florida - 22:53.0

Women's Championship 8+ 1. Florida "A" - 18:00.0 2. NSU - 18:19.0 3. Jacksonville - 18:20.0 4. Florida "B" - 19:06.0 5. Central Florida - 19:33.0

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