George Washington University

May 5, 2012

Official Results

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. - The George Washington women's rowing team clinched its best finish at the Atlantic 10 Championship since 2003 as the Colonials took second place on Saturday afternoon on the Cooper River.

Head Coach Eric Carcich was voted Coach of the Year by his peers at the conclusion of the event.

The Colonials totaled 42 points to win the runner-up trophy. Rhode Island won the title with 53 points with Massachusetts and Temple tying for third place overall with 37 points apiece.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of our whole performance," said Coach Carcich. "Gutting out small victories leading, ultimately, to our second-place finish was really special. Every boat did their part to put us in this position."

The second-place finish marks a four-spot improvement from last year's championship as the Colonials secured its best finish at the event since a second-place showing in 2003. Carcich was named Coach of the Year, marking the first time a GW coach has taken home the honor since Steve Peterson in 2001.

"I am speechless and humbled to receive this honor," said Coach Carcich. "The quality of coaches in this conference is very high, so to be selected coach of the year is an incredible feeling."

GW advanced three boats to the Grand Finals, accumulating 27 points from the Varsity 8 (2nd place, 7:07.80), 12 points in the JV 8 (4th, 7:17.52) and six points from the Varsity 4 (4th, 8:29.59).

The morning heats featured a 10-mile per hour crosswind. The Colonials' Varsity 8 navigated the 2,000 meter course in 7:11.36 for a first-place finish to advance to the Grand Finals. The time stood as the third-fastest among V8's in the preliminary rounds.

The JV 8 took second place in its heat in 7:27.64, while the Varsity 4 finished in third place in 8:29.59 to join the V8 in the Grand Finals.

The Colonials also raced a 2V4, which finished in second place in a thrilling sprint against Rhode Island in the final 500 meters. The Colonials, who trailed for most of the race, closed to within a half boat length and crossed the finish line just six-hundreths of a second behind the Rams.

"The A-10 Championships bring out the best from each program in this conference and today was no different," said Coach Carcich. "After the heats, we really didn't know what was going to happen (in the finals) because every race was so competitive."

The Colonials will return to the Cooper River next Saturday for the annual Eastern Sprints Regatta.

Final Standings
Rhode Island - 53
George Washington - 43
Massachusetts - 37
Temple - 37
Dayton - 35
Saint Joseph's - 30
Fordham - 7
La Salle - 11
Duquesne - 11

Lineups
Varsity 8
Coxswain - Meghan Kearns
8. Morgen Ellis
7. Megan Culberson
6. Bethany Grim
5. Sarah Pickus
4. Anna Kaminski
3. Maryann Grunseth
2. Amanda Young
1. Annie Morse

JV 8
Coxswain- Gabrielle Uzdin
8. Claire Ashcraft
7. Estee Gabel
6. Madison Townley
5. Helen Watson
4. Christine Popp
3. Julia Randle
2. Sarah Hill
1. Rachel Roth
Varsity 4
Coxswain - Hayley Dannehower
4. Emily Wilson
3. Morgan Oxenrider
2. MacKenzie Hovermale
1. Brittany Riley

2V4
Coxswain: Sam Bachert
4. Sarah Thompson
3. Maley Hunt
2. MacKenzie Hovermale
1. Gephen Sadove

3V4
Coxswain - Kathryn Kozak
4. Kendra Speak
3. Elaine Murphy
2. Vanessa Morales
1. Kerri Evans