March 25, 2003

CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Fairfield University crew team opened the Spring season with a solid outing at the Jesuit Invitational, highlighted with the second novice 8's victory. The shell crossed the finish line with a winning time of 7:53.04.

The second novice 8 edged out Saint Joseph's University (Pa.) and Georgetown University, edging the second-place Hawks by more than three seconds. The team included coxswain Sandy Wrinn, Heidi Ochab, Melissa Maggio, Kate Poniatowski, Jill Ryan, Kate Topazio, Mariel Kauffman, Katie Jonaitis and Erin Daly.

The novice 8 posted a fourth-place finish in its race, with a time of 7:40.0. Saint Joseph's won the race in 7:07.24, while Georgetown (7:15) and Boston College (7:37.91) placed second and third place, respectively. The boat included coxswain Carolyn Brayfield, Angela Lively, Nicole Blyth, Jen White, Bethany Hemingway, Maureen Sullivan, Ellen Dunleavy, Katie Healy and Robyn Raber.

In varsity 4+ action, Fairfield secured third place, as it finished the race in 8:27.20. Boston College won the race (8:05.43), followed by Loyola College (8:06.33). The Stags' entry was comprised by coxswain Samantha Lombardi, Caitlin Bakum, Katie Gill, Kathleen Bradler and Andrea Bazos. The lightweight 4+, consisting of coxswain Katie Molteni, Maura O'Connor, Carolyn Arnold, Marjorie Powers and Carolyn Stankiewicz, also raced in the varsity competition, registering a time of 9:57.20.

The Stags travel to the University of Connecticut on Saturday, March 29 for a dual-meet competition.