May 2, 2008

Lake Natoma, CA - In the 2008 West Coast Conference women's rowing Championships, Saint Mary's posted a fourth place finish from Lake Natoma. The Gaels finished with 13 total points, as SMC posted a third place finish in the varsity eight event, a fifth place finish in the second varsity eight race, and a fourth place finish in the varsity four competition.

Saint Mary's completed the day with a strong showing from the varsity eight boat, and the Gaels posted a third place finish in the featured race of the day. Saint Mary's posted a time of 6:54.7 to finish 10 seconds behind first place Gonzaga. The Gaels' varsity eight boat order was coxwain Marrah Galvon, stroke Sierra Timmer, First Team All-WCC selection Johanna Timmer, Michelle Grima, Sandra Pichelli, Jacqui Lindo, Jennifer Tyndall, Laura Kocourek, and Kyla Tom.

The Gaels opened the day with a fourth place finish in the varsity four race, as a group of novice rowers exceeded expectations. The four-boat of coxswain Molly Chow and rowers Elyssa Roselle, Michelle Burns, Kendra Brassfield and Valerie Vermazen, crossed the line in a time of 8:29.7.

The next boat on the water for SMC was the second varsity eight, which consisted of coxswain Kate Shalvoy, stroke Linzey Simonson, Ariele Elia, Jamie Sullivan, Miranda Ripoli, Whitney Medved, Kristine Myhre, Taylor Balian, and Jennifer Morrison. The second varsity eight got off to a frantic start and did not get back in sync. The Gaels finished the 2,000-meter race in a time of 7:26.8, and crossed the finish line in fifth place in their race.

The Gonzaga women's rowing team continued its success at the WCC Rowing Championships, claiming its 11th conference crown Friday morning, as the Zags were victorious in all three races San Diego earned a second place finish with 24 points and Loyola Marymount finished in third place with 15 points. Saint Mary's earned 13 total points and Santa Clara rounded out the competition, coming in fifth, with eight points.

Gonzaga posted a first place finish in the I-Eight event for the second time in the last three years with a time of 6:44.0, finishing ahead of second place San Diego by five seconds. The Toreros, who had finished the I-Eight race in fifth place last season, notched a time of 6:49.1 to come in second this year. The Gaels grabbed third place with a 6:54.7 mark. Loyola Marymount came in fourth with a time of 7:00.7, followed by the Broncos with a time of 7:01.6.

In the II-Eight race, Gonzaga finished first for the ninth straight season with a 6:56.7 mark, followed by San Diego with a time of 7:07.4. Loyola Marymount captured the No. 3 spot with a time of 7:08.7, while Santa Clara and Saint Mary's rounded out the II-Eight race with times of 7:20.6 and 7:26.8, respectively.

The Zags won the I-Four event for the sixth time in the last seven years, posting a time of 7:40.0. The Toreros took second place in the I-Four race with a 7:56.0 mark, while the Lions captured third place with a time of 8:06.5. Saint Mary's came in fourth with an 8:27.9 mark, and Santa Clara finished fifth with a time of 8:40.9.

Gonzaga was rewarded for their first place finish by landing four athletes on the All-WCC team in Kelsey Koenig, Hanna McClintock, Kelly Steinhaus, and 2008 Coxswain of the Year, Joan Aubry. San Diego had two athletes earn All-WCC honors, as both Allison Matthews and Jacquelyn Harris received all-conference recognition. This year marked the fourth time Jacquelyn Harris has earned WCC All-Conference honors. Rounding out the All-WCC team were Loyola Marymount's Jill Austin, Saint Mary's Johanna Timmer, and Santa Clara's Laila Cor¬rea. Gonzaga's head coach, Melissa Flint, was tabbed for 2008 WCC Rowing Coach of the Year honors her first year in this position.

Saint Mary's will return to action on Saturday and Sunday in the WIRA Championships at Lake Natoma. The Gaels will compete in five events over the weekend, which include the varsity and second varsity eights, two varsity fours, and a lightweight four entry.

Final Standings 1. Gonzaga - 30 2. San Diego - 24 3. LMU - 15 4. Saint Mary's - 13 5. Santa Clara - 8

I-Eight 1. Gonzaga, 6:44.0, 15 points 2. San Diego, 6:49.1, 12 points 3. Saint Mary's, 6:54.7, 9 points 4. Loyola Marymount, 7:00.7, 6 points 5. Santa Clara, 7:01.3, 3 points

II-Eight 1. Gonzaga, 6:56.7, 10 points 2. San Diego, 7:07.4, 8 points 3. Loyola Marymount, 7:08.7, 6 points 4. Santa Clara, 7:20.6, 4 points 5. Saint Mary's. 7:26.8, 2 points

I-Four 1. Gonzaga, 7:40.0, 5 points 2. San Diego, 7:56.0, 4 points 3. Loyola Marymount, 8:06.5, 3 points 4. Saint Mary's, 8:27.9, 2 points 5. Santa Clara, 8:40.9, 1 point