March 21, 2008

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's rowing squad opens its 2008 spring rowing season Saturday as it faces off against Oregon State University at Dexter Lake, Ore. The Bulldogs matchup with the Beavers is a homecoming of sorts for first-year head coach Melissa Flint as she was a four-year rower at Oregon State from 1998-2002, and was the captain of the 2002 crew that finished third at the Pacific-10 Championships.

"I was thrilled when we set up this race," stated Flint. "I'm happy to see that the Oregon State program has continued to excel over the years."

The women's racing begins at 9 a.m. with the Varsity 4+ crews matching up. The Novice 8+ boats have a 9:30 start, followed by the Varsity 8+ at 10 a.m. The Second Varsity 8+ race is set for 10:30 a.m., and the Second Novice 8+ concludes racing with an 11:15 a.m. start.

"I am very excited for our athletes to have a race opportunity like this," explained Flint. "We are all interested to see where we are compared to other programs, and are looking forward to our first race."

Rowing in the Varsity 8+ for Gonzaga is: Joan Aubry, Kelly Steinhaus, Kelsey Koenig, Katie Atkins, Hanna McClintock, Cory Nelson, Julie Smetana, Liz Moore and Whitney Engle.

In the Second Varsity 8+ for the Zags are Sarah Rotar, Kari Sulenes, Alissa Stempson, Whitney Patrick, Teagan Towhey, Sam Cekovic, Jana Holcombe, Sami Koppinger, and Sierra Tittle.

The Third Varsity 8+ consists of Rachel Cregg, Chelsie Eddings, Lana Bowie, Katherine Krueger, Stephanie Murphy, Alexis Cutright, Jennifer Pierce, Martha Buttry, and Sophie Bluhm.

Rowing in the Varsity 4+ are Emily Wilson, Chelsie Eddings, Katherine Krueger, Lana Bowie, and Lauren Miller.

In the Novice 8+ boat consists of Carrie Kreimier, Hannah Winters, Andrea Ness, Meg Morris, Madison Feddersen, Therese Yrani, Alexa Bostwick, Courtney Norris and Rachel Schlosser.

The Second Novice 8+ consists of Nicky Talkington, Hannah Winters, Andrea Ness, Meg Morris, Alexis Bostwick, Courtney Norris, Rachel Schlosser, Lauren Borges, and Stephanie White.

GETTING TO DEXTER LAKE
From I-5 North or South:
- Take Exit 188A Highway 58/Willamette Hwy - Towards Oakridge
- Follow Highway 58 East for approximately 13.5 miles
- Left at Jasper-Lowell Rd. (Covered Bridge is on left-hand side right before the turn)
- Follow Jasper-Lowell Rd. for 0.7 Miles
- Left on North Shore Dr. - North Shore Dr. turns into Pengra Rd.
- Lowell Recreation Site is located 0.7 miles from turn on the left hand side.