Hurricanes Set for 2004 BIG EAST Challenge

April 23, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami rowing team will head to Worcester, Mass. this weekend to take part in the fourth annual BIG EAST Women’s Rowing Challenge held on the waters or Lake Quinsigamond Sunday, April 25.

Along with the Hurricanes, eight BIG EAST crews are slated to participate in the challenge, including three-time defending champions Syracuse, Notre Dame, Boston College, Georgetown, Rutgers, Villanova, West Virginia and Connecticut.

The Hurricanes send four boats to this year’s Challenge with the Varsity 8 crew of Laura Comeau (Cox), Karen Wiley, Jenny Krawec, Jacqui Julien, Sarah Conlon, Rachel Clausing, Caroline Stuart, Ananda Chou and Jordanna Heywood, Junior Varsity 8 crew of Jessica Martin (Cox), Rachel Sander, Bridget Gallagher, Anna Cohen, Julie Crane, Ashley Marincsin, Jacqui Heywood, Aoife Forde and Deirdre Curran, Varsity 4 crew of Hannah Bae (Cox), Jenny Dunning, Laura Coltman, Taurii Coyne and Yassi Haririnia and Novice 8 crew of Meghan Leydecker (Cox), Val Webb, Ashley Via, Natasha Lejer, Erin Morris, Sarah Stocks, Noelle Van Ee, Molly Wilson and Marenda Chamberlin each looking to lead UM to their first BIG EAST title.

Miami has finished sixth in each of the previous three BIG EAST Challenges, coming in behind Georgetown, Boston College, Rutgers, Notre Dame and Syracuse in 2003.

Head coach Debra Morgan and the Hurricanes are coming off an impressive victory at the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships that saw Miami win eight races to take home the overall points title along with the Shirly B. Neggard Trophy April 10 in Tampa, Fla.

Sunday’s races are slated to begin at 8:10 a.m. with the Varsity 4 heats.