University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Novice Eights Crew Leads Blue Hen Rowers at Murphy Cup Competition
3/24/2012 11:52:00 PM | Rowing
CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Novice Eights crew took home a bronze medal during another windy weekend of women's rowing racing for the University of Delaware Saturday at the Murphy Cup.
Typically held in Philadelphia, the 2012 Murphy Cup was held on the Cooper River, which saw the Blue Hens put forward a mixed effort against several future opponents at the Dad Vail Regatta.
In the Novice Eights event, the Delaware “A” boat of Jamie Noce, Denise Cirelli, Jennifer Majcher, Yardley Markee, Sarah Drobnock, Mackenzie Chrisco, Catherine Manner, Kate Flood, and Lily Guttentag won their morning heat with a time of 8:29.68 to advance to the Grand Final.
In the final they put up a time of 8:11.62, behind only winner Drexel's time of 8:03.24 and silver medalist Bucknell's time of 8:09.48.
The Novice “B” Eights crew of Hayley Diverio, Sydney Gayda, Jessica Grant, Christy Bugher, Corey Holloway, Amanda Budzilowicz, Kelly Kauker, Molly Gardner, and Shannon Bell took second in their morning heat with a time of 8:41.07 but did not advance.
Delaware interim head coach Jinny Jang was pleased with the performance of both freshman squads.
“The Novice Eights was our top finisher, placing third in the final,” said Jan. “The Varsity Fours had a good race in their heat and moved on to the final, placing sixth. They had an excellent race in the final and fought well with the other crews. The Second Novice Eights were shy of making it to the final but also had an excellent race in the heats.”
Also advancing to the Grand Final was the Varsity Fours crew of Anna Sung, Kristen Endres, Sarah Slotoroff, Bethany Porter, and Tori Drach. Posting a time of 9:23.17, the boat took the final spot in Saturday afternoon's Grand Finals. In the finals, the boat came in sixth place with a time of 9:31.03.
Racing late in a day when the weather progressively got more difficult to manage, both Delaware Varsity Eights boats were unable to advance out of their heats, failing to qualify for Saturday evening's Grand or Petite Finals.
The Varsity Eights, with a lineup of Hillary Levitz, Rachel Conway, Julia Cagney, Lauren Kanaskie, Lauren Kolsky, Holly Dodge, Jamie Hedrick, Virginia Hall, and Alex Smart, took fifth place in their heat with a time of 8:23.36.
In the Second Varsity Eights race, the boat of Dianna Levin, Angela Quinn, Calla Cissel, Jenny Kohler, Ally Crossman, Bethany Callaway, Rachel Boudart, Laura Wertman, and Meredith Murphy took third place in the first heat with a time of 8:38.34.
The Blue Hens start their Spring Break training this week before continuing racing on Apr. 1 at the Occoquan Sprints in Fairfax, Va.
Jang is expecting the squad to make big improvements over the course of a week that is traditionally marked by longer, grueling practices.
“We are having Spring Break training this week and we expect that with the intense physical and mental training, everyone, especially our top crews, will rise up to the competition,” said Jang.
