NSU Sharks News
THE BEST: Rowing Varsity 4 Claims NCAA Division II Championship
Sharks win first-ever event title at NCAA Championships, finish third in team standings
Cherry Hill, N.J. (May 31, 2009) Nova Southeastern University rowing's Varsity 4 got out to a quick start and never relinquished the lead as the Sharks won the Varsity 4 title at the 2009 NCAA Division II Championships on Sunday morning. It is the first time the Sharks have won an event at the NCAA Division II Championships."It was a great day," said head coach John Gartin. "The Varsity 8 had a solid race and one of their best of the season. The Varsity 4 finally broke through that glass ceiling. In the past, they had been looking up towards (five-time champion) Western Washington. This year, to finally break through and walk away with some hardware, is a big step forward."
The 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 7:53.04. Western Washington edged out Mercyhurst for second place, finishing in a time of 7:57.34. Mercyhurst complete the course in a time of 7:57.70.
Clayton, McElhenny, Kurlychek, Lofria and Sutter took charge from early on in the race, having almost a full boat's length on Western Washington and Mercyhurst through the first 500 meters. The boat held a two-second lead at the 1,000-meter mark, but opened it up in the final half of the race.
"There were so many firsts this year," said Gartin. "They climbed so many mountains and this was the biggest one for them to climb. It is so exciting. It's a trophy that they proudly get to have."
In the Eights Petite Final, Dowling won the race with a time of 7:11.38. NSU's 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, Fla.), Elizabeth Hurley (So., Syracuse, N.Y.) and Emma Jordan (Fr., Sebastian, Fla.) followed with a time of 7:16.56.
"The Varsity 8 boat clicked today," said Gartin. "I'm proud of them. All of them in the boat wished we placed better, but they had a good race."
In the Eights Grand Final, Western Washington won the race by five seconds, finishing in a time of 6:52.60. Mercyhurst was second with a time of 6:57.22, while Seattle Pacific took third with a time of 7:00.22. Philadelphia rounded out the field with a time of 7:05.70.
In the team standings, Western Washington claimed its fifth-straight team title, garnering 18 points. Mercyhurst was second with 13 points. NSU took third with 11 points, while Philadelphia rounded out the team standings in fourth with eight points.
"We worked hard this season," said Gartin. "To see both boats at the NCAA Division II National Championships is a testament to the whole team. All worked hard and I couldn't be prouder of the squad."
Press of Atlantic City Recap "Local rowers help Nova Southeastern win an NCAA Title"
Sunday's Results
Fours Grand Final
1. NSU - 7:53.04
2. Western Washington - 7:57.34
3. Mercyhurst - 7:57.70
Eights Petite Final
1. Dowling - 7:11.38
2. NSU - 7:16.56
Eights Grand Final
1. Western Washington - 6:52.60
2. Mercyhurst - 6:57.22
3. Seattle Pacific - 7:00.22
4. Philadelphia - 7:05.70
Final Team Standings
1. Western Washington - 18 points
2. Mercyhurst - 13 points
3. NSU - 11 points
4. Philadelphia - 8 points
