Feb. 27, 2012

LOS ANGELES - Loyola Marymount's women's rowing team kicked off its championship season with a dual meet against UC Santa Barbara Saturday at Ballona Creek in Marina del Rey, claiming victory over the Gauchos in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight races.

"We had solid opening weekend of racing," said LMU Rowing Coordinator Vaclav Kacir. "UCSB gave us a great race and it was an invaluable learning experience for our team. I am very proud of the performance of the second varsity eight who had a really aggressive race. The varsity eight kept their composure and after a slower start, came back with a solid performance in the second 1000m. It's always exciting to start the season off with a win, and I am looking forward to continuing our development as racers."

Battling unfavorable conditions including a heavy headwind and incoming tide, the Lions' varsity eight crossed the finish line eight seconds ahead of UC Santa Barbara. The second varsity eight was victorious by 11 seconds over the Gauchos.

LMU's novice eight/third varsity eight finished second to the Gauchos, while the varsity four also took a runner-up finish.

"Due to a small roster, we had to double up girls for the third varsity and varsity four races," explained Kacir. "Our coxswain, Jen, stepped up and rowed in the third varsity eight and did a great job. Every girl in the varsity four tripled up and I am proud of they way they handled such a grueling day. We got edged out by UCSB in that race, but our girls stayed tough all the way down the course."

The Lions and Gauchos also raced pairs, with LMU entering a trio of boats. The duo of Sydney Sutton and Chris Erhart took first, followed by Kat Regan and P.K Carey-Jones. In the field of seven boats, LMU's third pair of Hanna Osborne and Leanne McNamee placed fourth.

"I am extremely proud of our team," said LMU assistant coach Katelin Snyder. "V and I set specific goals for this race, and I believe our girls achieved those goals. Our team showed that they are all gutsy racers and I am looking forward to setting the bar higher and higher as we approach the West Coast Conference Championship."

The Lions return to their home course on Saturday, Mar. 3, hosting cross-town rival UCLA at 7:45 a.m. The LMU men will also be in action on Saturday in a dual meet against USC.

LMU LINEUPS

Varsity Eight
Kellyn Freire (cox), Sydney Sutton-Liswith, Shannon Craig, Kat Regan, Maggie Boze, Jessica Kegel, Chris Erhart, Hanna Osborne, Leanne McNamee

Second Varsity Eight
Jen Koester (cox), Harriet Russell, Ku Lake, Kelsey Dunbar, P.K Carey-Jones, Jill Dannis, Danielle Ciraulo, Katherine Wikholm, Paulina Lindstedt

Novice Eight/Third Varsity Eight
Amanda Ballard (cox), Jessica Kegel, Paulina Lindstedt, Kelsey Dunbar, Danielle Ciraulo, Katherine Wikholm, Jill Dannis, Jasmine Gonzales, Jen Koester

Varsity Four
Amanda Ballard (cox), Jill Dannis, Danielle Ciraulo, Katherine Wikholm, Paulina Lindstedt

Pairs
Sydney Sutton-Liswith, Chris Erhart Hanna Osborne, Leanne McNamee Kat Regan, P.K Carey-Jones