June 1, 1998

VILLANOVA WOMEN'S VARSITY LIGHTWEIGHT EIGHT WINS FIRST NATIONAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY

At the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta finals this past Saturday, the Villanova women's varsity lightweight eight beat second-place Radcliff for the first time this season, to win the school's first-ever national rowing championship. Earlier this season Radcliff was ranked No. 1 nationally, with Princeton at No. 2 and Villanova holding the No.3 post. However, this past weekend at the IRA Regatta the Wildcats lightweight eight proved to be the best in the nation.

Villanova won the IRA Women's Lightweight Eight Trophy while coming in fifth place in the overall points race with 126.0. The national champion lightweight eight boat from bow to coxswain featured: Kristen Bubnis, Kelly O'Brien, Carole Martell, Meghan Sarbaris, Lyndsay Walters, Hannah Moore, Maureen McCurry, Katie Douglas, and Jessica Merriam (cox). Villanova finished the race at 6:45.0 beating Radcliff by six tenths of a second, and leaving Princeton behind with a finish of 6:49.3.

"We've had some real talented rowers before, but this is the best group of rowers, bow to stern, that I've coached," said coach Jack St. Clair.

Next up for the Wildcats. . . . . .

The Villanova Women's Crew team will travel to the prestigious Henley Women's Regatta, held in London, England, on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 1998. For more information on 1998 Henley Women's Regatta, please check their web site at:

www.liathach.demon.co.uk/hwr/index.htm