Oct. 6, 2002

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University crew team opened its Fall season by competing at the Head of the Riverfront on October 6. Strong performances by the varsity boats and a solid outing by the novices encouraged Head Coach Andre Albert.

The varsity 8 took sixth place in its run with a time of 16:13.13. The shell included coxswain Samantha Lombardi, stroke Caitlin Bakum, Kathleen Bradler, Erin Schuling, Katie Gill, Mary Finnen, Andrea Bazos, Amy Ferguson and bow Sarah Bachman. Yale won the race, crossing the line in 14:10.8.

The novice 8 secured ninth place with a time of 18:19.6, trailing winner United States Coast Guard Academy by a couple of minutes (15:50.9). Coxwain Marjorie Powers, stroke Angela Lively, Bethany Hemingway, Katy Healy, Robyn Rabner, Heidi Ochab, Katelyn Friedson, Katie Jonaitis and bow Sandi Wrinn comprised the novice 8 team.

The novice 4, which included coxswain Sandi Wrinn, bow Jillian Ryan, Katy Healy, Bethany Hemingway and stroke Angela Lively, was fourth with a time of 21:11.1. Mt. Holyoke won the event with a time of 18:10.6.

In varsity 4 action, Fairfield's two entries finished just 20 seconds apart as the B boat recorded a time of 16:58.1, while the A shell registered a time of 17:18.25. The B boat roster was coxswain Samantha Lombardi, bow Lisa Viele, Kate Chesny, Sarah Bachman and stroke Amy Ferguson. The A boat had coxswain Katie Molteni, bow Heidi Bentsen, Mary Finnen, Diana Polzer and stroke Erin Schuling. Coast Guard finished first in 15:59.4.

The lightweight 4 boat was third with a time of 18:20.26, behind the efforts of coxswain Katie Molteni, bow Carolyn Stankiewicz, Alyssa Aurisy, Carolyn Arnold and stroke Maura O'Connor. Coast Guard took the event with a time of 17:14.14.

"I thought the varsity performed well," Head Coach Andre Albert said. "The novice started the year without a coach, but still managed to hold their own against the competition."