April 6, 2008

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Competing against its third opponent in the last two days, the University of Miami rowing team swept all three races against Eastern Michigan Sunday at Ford Lake Park to wrap up a successful trip for the Hurricanes to the state of Michigan this weekend.

With sunny conditions and a five mile-per-hour head wind on Ford Lake, the Hurricanes cruised to a 32.0-second win in the Varsity Eight, a 16.22-second win in the 2^nd Varsity Eight and a 26.52-second win in the Varsity Four over the Eagles.

"I am really thrilled with how well we came out and raced this morning against Eastern Michigan," head coach Robbie Tenenbaum said. "We were able to learn a lot after some tough races on Saturday and that showed today on the water."

Miami's Varsity Eight crew of Monika Sajincic, Bethany Krawec, Sarah Medland, Louise Parry, Laura Cordner, Emily Wingrove, bow Tara Eddings, stroke Kelly Amsler and coxswain Shira Kharrazi won for the second time on the weekend, completing the sweep of Eastern Michigan with a convincing, 7:07.32-to-7:39.32 win in the morning's final race.

For the third time in four races this spring, the crew of Molly Thornton, Karalyn Van Aken, bow Courtney Guy, stroke Julianne Parker and coxswain Ana Cristina Mantilla came away victorious in the Varsity Four race, easing past the Eagles, 8:07.78-to-8:34.30.

The Hurricanes' 2^nd Varsity Eight crew of Olivia Arkell, Hannah McKay, Caitlin Augustin, Rachael Sporko, Marleena Eyre, Stephanie Parrish, bow Stacey Kerr, stroke Nic Saner and coxswain Christina Crocco also claimed their first win of the spring, coming in at 7:24.83 to EMU's time of 7:41.05.

Overall this weekend, Miami was victorious in five of nine races Saturday and Sunday. After taking two of three Saturday morning against Indiana - winning the Varsity Eight and Varsity Four races - the `Canes fell to No. 14 Notre Dame in all three races Saturday afternoon before finishing the weekend on a strong note against Eastern Michigan.

The Hurricanes will now begin preparing for the 2008 ACC Rowing Championships, scheduled for Saturday, April 19 at Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C.

"Tuesday morning we'll get back in the water and start our preparation for the ACC Rowing Championships," Tenenbaum added. "We are excited about the opportunity to prepare for and eventually race some of the best teams in the country a week from Saturday in Clemson."

Miami vs. Eastern Michigan Results

Varsity Four

Miami - 8:07.78

Eastern Michigan - 8:34.30

2^nd Varsity Eight

Miami - 7:24.83

Eastern Michigan - 7:41.05

Varsity Eight

Miami - 7:07.32

Eastern Michigan - 7:39.32