April 29, 2004

ORCHARD BEACH, N.Y. - Fairfield University captured the 2004 Metropolitan Intercollegiate Rowing Association championship, as the women's and men's crew teams combined for 206 total points. Binghamton and Stony Brook captured second and third with 93 and 71.5 points, respectively.

Fairfield won four of the six women's races, which included the varsity pair, the varsity lightweight 4, the varsity 4 and the varsity 8. The novice 8 just missed the gold, taking second place in its respective event with a time of 8:22.1. The team included coxswain Danielle McLean, Jessica Raymond, Chrissy Young, Brittany Teehan, Lindsay Dewan, Christine Anglace, Amanda Piel, Justine Rapoport and Kylin Wentz.

The varsity pair edged out Sacred Heart for the team's first win, winning the race by a one second. Andrea Bazos and Mary Claire Finnen combined for the Fairfield victory.

The varsity lightweight 4 picked up a convincing victory, crossing the finish line with 10 seconds to spare over Sacred Heart and Stony Brook. The shell, which owned a time of 8:39.6, was comprised of coxswain Katie Molteni, Amy Ferguson, Erica Mullaney, Maura O'Connor and Erin Daly.

Things continued to go well for the Stags with the varsity 4 securing a win in its event, thanks to the efforts of coxswain Sandy Wrinn, Maureen Sullivan, Beth Hemingway, Christine Opiela and Katie Gill.

The day was capped with a first-place finish by the varsity 8 (7:38.3), edging out Binghamton by seven seconds. Coxswain Sandy Wrinn led teammates Jen White, Katie Gill, Maureen Sullivan, Christine Opiela, Mary Claire Finnen, Beth Hemingway, Amy Ferguson and Andrea Bazos to the victory.

The novice 4 also saw action during the day, placing second in its heat (8:14.0) and sixth in the final (8:31.3). Coxswain Thais Pagan, Katie Donahue, Emily Green, Brittany Teehan and Claire Meehan rowed for Fairfield in that event.