Nov. 1, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion women's rowing team kicked off the season by claiming the top three events in the Collegiate 8 this weekend at the Head of the Lafayette.
Competing against boats from Liberty University, the ODU "B" boat won the event in a time of 18:29 for the 5000 meter course. ODU "A" was second in a time of 18:30 while the ODU Freshman/Novice boat finished in third.
The ODU B boat was comprised of coxswain Allison Giegerich (Egg Harbor, N.J.), junior Liz Hess (Ontario, Canada), senior Jen Easterling (Va. Beach, Va.), Shelby Favre (Absecon, N.J.), sophomore Abby Voss (Alexandra, Va.), freshman Paige Madison (Va. Beach, Va.), junior Marie Gately (Montclair, Va.), sophomore Kiersten Stephens (Seaville, N.J.), and sophomore Maeghan Pardy (Ontario, Canada).
The ODU A featured coxswain Ashley Payne (Woodbridge, Va.), junior Callie Roadcap (Woodbridge, Va.), junior Christina Gravelle (Ontario, Canada), junior Laurel Bransfield (Glastonbury, Conn.), junior Nicole Meyer (Woodbridge, Va.), junior Mary Kent (Va. Beach, Va.), junior Amanda May (Chester, Va.), junior Heather Earle (Ontario, Canada), and junior Heather Leach (Va. Beach, Va.).
"I am very excited about the level of competition amongst our team," said ODU head coach Dan Garbutt of his team's first showing this season. "To have the two varsity boats separated by that small of a margin, speaks to level of improvement throughout the group. Everyone is becoming a contributor. I look forward to their development."
The ODU women's rowing team returns to the water November 5th-7th at the Head of the Hooch Regatta in Chattanooga, Tenn.