Villanova University

March 28, 1998

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - At the Villanova Invitational held on the Schuykill River on Saturday, March 28, the Villanova women's crew team won six of the eight events against the likes of LaSalle, Catholic, St. Joseph's, Lafayette and Princeton, in what was their first official meet of the season.

The Wildcats biggest win of the weekend came in the varsity lightweight eight. Coming into the Invitational ranked third in the nation in the lightweight eights, the Wildcats led by senior stroke

Katie Douglas, defeated the No. 2 ranked Princeton Tigers. Villanova finished in a time of 7:11.46, defeating national powerhouse Princeton despite the graduation of five seniors from last season's lightweight boat.

"We definitely handled Princeton better than we thought we ever could," said Head Coach Jack St. Clair.

The Wildcat varsity heavyweight eight was also victorious in a time of 7:42.2, defeating second place LaSalle by 20 seconds. The Villanova heavyweights were led by junior stroke Katie Sparks and coxswain Jen Smaltini.

On the day, the Wildcats were dominant in novice eight events, taking home victories in the novice eight and the second novice eight. The Villanova novice eights finished in a time of 7:36.8, while the second novice eights finished in 7:57.2.

The Wildcats other two victories came in the novice four and second varsity eight events. The novice fours led by freshman stroke Erin Fregeau defeated LaSalle finishing in 8:20.0, while the second varsity eight squad rowed to victory in 8:03.4.

Villanova will resume their schedule at the San Diego Crew Classic, in San Diego, Calif., on April 3-4.