Sept. 22, 2002

Milwaukee, Wis. - The Notre Dame rowing team took two of the top four positions in the varsity eight race Saturday at the season-opening Milwaukee River Challenge. The Irish claimed second and fourth places in the race, which was run over a 2.2-mile course. Each crew rowed two races in opposite directions over the same water and was separately timed with the lowest combined time being the grand winner.

Notre Dame's first varsity eight crew of Cassie Markstahler (cox), Natalie Ladine (stroke), Ashlee Warren, Elizabeth Specht, Alice Bartek, Rachel Polinski, Erica Drennen, Kerri Murphy and Kathleen Welsh placed second in a time of 21.56. Iowa's first eight was the grand winner in 21.51.

The Irish second varsity eight crew of Kathryn Long (cox), Kati Sedun (stroke), Ann Marie Dillhoff, Casey Buckstaff, Becky Luckett, Diane Price, Meredith Thornburgh, Shannon Mohan and Sarah Keefer placed fourth in a time of 22.17. Notre Dame's fourth varsity eight of Maureen Gibbons (cox) Tricia David (stroke), Ann Mulligan, Tori Blainey, Kristen Wright, Jen Connelly, Corinne Roman, Beth Franzosa and Courtney Quinn finished 13th, while the third eight of Caitlin Rackish (cox), Kristin Mizzi (stroke), Katie Chenowith, Kristin Henkel, Devon Hegemen, Antoinette Duck, Fallon Shields, Katharine McCaulden, and Jenna Froberg was 20th.

Results from the varsity four races were unavailable at press time and will be updated later in the weekend.

"I thought today was a good day," head coach Martin Stone said. " We raced hard and had phenomenal conditions today. It was a good start to what we hope is a successful season."