George Washington University

Nov. 4, 2008

WOODBRIDGE, VA - The George Washington Women's Rowing varsity squad ended the fall portion of its season Sunday with a strong performance at the Head of the Occoquan in nearby Woodbridge, VA, where the Colonials won the collegiate women's four event.

The crew of Kirsten Spittel (Pittsburgh, PA), Bess Austin (Madison, WI), Stephanie DeFlora (Basking Ridge, NJ), Bonnie Scott (Plainview, NY) and Zoe Calish (Dorchester, MA) completed the 5,000-meter course in 18:52, a full 20 seconds ahead of runner-up George Mason. The Colonials' other entry in the event finished 20th in the 28-boat field.

"I thought our four did a terrific job today," said GW head coach Rob McCracken. "We spent a lot of time in fours this fall so it was great to see all their hard work pay off."

In the collegiate eight event, the Colonials' entry of Katie Martin (Centerport, NY), Austin, Spittel, Scott, DeFlora, Carrie Rollman (Tucson, AZ), Ali Hamilton (Houston, TX), Morgen Ellis (Boise, ID) and Lindsey Morse (Brookline, MA) finished forth behind boats from Navy and George Mason.

"The eight had a great race," continued McCracken. "They came off the water commenting on how strong and consistent the entire race was. We were short one experienced rower due to injury so we put Morgen in the boat at the last minute. Even though she has only been rowing for six weeks, she fit right in and did an incredible job. I'm really pleased with how all our crews did today."

While the Occoquan marked the final competition of the fall for the varsity squad, it was the first competition for the Colonials' novice squad. According to Assistant Coach Maria Bokulich the race was a great way for the novices to experience collegiate racing.

In the collegiate women's novice eight event, the GW entries placed 16th and 19th in the 29-boat field. GW also placed 10th, of 15 boats, in the collegiate women's novice four.

"This was the first regatta for the novices so they were very nervous and excited about the race," said Bokulich. "They performed well, but they are still in the early stages of learning how to mentally and physically compete as Division I athletes. This is a very driven group of student-athletes and I have no doubt they will be much more competitive when they race again this coming weekend."

The Colonials' novice squad will return to action Nov. 8 when they travel to Charlottesville, VA, to race against the University of Virginia and Georgetown.