March 4, 2004
Los Angeles, CA (Mar. 4) -- The Loyola Marymount University crew team is preparing to build upon last year's successes as the 2004 racing season is set to begin with the 2004 Parker Cup on Saturday, March 6 at Ballona Creek in Marina del Rey.
The 2004 season brings high expectations as this year's team combines a solid foundation of returning rowers with a group of promising new team members.
The women's varsity team is set to make waves in the West Coast Conference this season as they return eight of the nine team members from last season's WIRA Championship Varsity Eight. Co-captains Caitlin McClain (junior) and Beth Henderson (senior, four-year rower) lead a group that includes seniors Sarah Daum, Lot Keijzer and Angela Tanner, juniors Vanessa Glendenning, Sylia Olvera, and coxswain Julia Paradiso.
"The women have been working very hard in preparation for an exciting season," said Head Coach Patrick Kelly. "We experienced some success last year and that has left them wanting for more."
Further adding to the Lions' depth this season will be a solid group of returning rowers for the Novice 8 team. Returning from last year's team include sophomores of Liz Stewart, Meggan Brunette, Ashlee Pierce, Kristin Lumm, Amy Lauber, Jen Aronson, and Erin Ludwig.
Coxswain Blake Boyer, who has three years with the Lions' varsity program, returns to the team this year in her first year of graduate school.
Adding to the talent of the returning players is an experienced group of new rowers. New this year to the Lions crew team is junior Naomi Hoogesteger, sophomores Jessica Butler and Lauren Fernley, and freshmen Kathryn Holzberger, Courtney Cox, Lisa Mercurio and Alli Mitrovich. This young group adds strength and experience to the Lions roster.
"It has been encouraging to see the development of the freshman and sophomores," said Kelly. "They are starting to learn what it takes. I've been very impressed with the leadership of the upperclassmen in helping to facilitate this. It has been a lot of fun."
The Lions are looking forward to facing their toughest schedule yet under the direction of fifth-year coach Kelly. The 2004 campaign kicks off with the Parker Cup this Saturday, as the Lions face UC Irvine and San Diego State in this traditional season opener.
LMU then travels Miami, Fla., for the Hurricane Invitational and then Redwood Shores, Calif., for the WCC Challenge before racing again in Ballona Creek. The Lions return to the home course for UCLA on March 27.
The first weekend of April brings the San Diego Crew Classic where the Lions' Varsity 8 had its best showing ever with second place in the Grand Final. The Lions will then head to Sacramento, Calif., later in the year, where they will compete to defend last year's WIRA Championship title in the Women's Varsity Eight.
"I've been happy with the progress we've made so far, but we certainly still have a long ways to go. If we can stay positive and continue to support one another like we have been, we can do real well. It is a special group," said Kelly.
Men's Crew, under the direction of new coach Tony Gjessing, is equally optimistic about their upcoming racing season. Assistant and recent LMU graduate Pat Madigan will join Gjessing on the coaching staff.
Newcomers Tim Santy, Brannon Wynn, and Kevin Druffel-Rodriguez will look to make an instant impact this season, as they will join the core of the group that made up last year's Varsity 8. Lion sophomores include Warren Anderson, Adam Baker, Scott Henderson, Jim Puccetti, and JP Voisinet. Coxswain Ellie Goldsmith takes the reigns to guide the crew. Juniors Jason Lake and Jarret Carle will be counted on for leadership on and off the water. Senior four-year rower Rob Willis, the crew's elder statesman, will look to end his career on the water in strong fashion.
""I'm really looking forward to racing this season," said first-year coach Gjessing. "We've got a great group of athletes. They work hard and have the potential to go far."
The men's crew team will also begin the season at the Parker Cup and then will travel to the WCC Challenge. In addition to UCLA and the San Diego Crew Classic, the Lions will host USC, UC Santa Barbara and Sacramento State on April 17 at Ballona Creek.
The Lions will also row in the Newport Regatta, which is a men's crew race only on April 25.
- GO LIONS -
