Feb. 17, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - After a 2008 season that was strong yet did not live up to expectations, the 2009 Saint Joseph's women's rowing team is back and hungrier than ever.

"We were proud of our performances last year," says head coach Gerry Quinlan, back for his 10th season at the helm of the Hawk program, "but it was not up to the success to which we are accustomed.  That's something we will improve in 2009."  Quinlan's charges will look to build on their strengths - the team dynamic, the character of the squad, and the fitness of its athletes - in order to make 2009 a year to remember.

Although the Varsity 8 missed a medal at the Dad Vail Regatta for the first time in three years, SJU had a strong showing at the season-ending event.  The Hawks were the only team to advance the Varsity 8, 2nd Varsity 8 and Freshman 8 boats to the Dad Vail Grand Finals, and they did so for the second consecutive year.  The Freshman 8 also came away with a medal from Dad Vails.

Despite not medaling at the Dad Vail Regatta, the Varsity 8 earned its first-ever medal at the Atlantic 10 Championships, one of six Hawk sculls to achieve that feat in 2008.

For 2009, expectations are even higher than a year ago.  The Varsity 8 boats returns eight of its nine members, but selecting who will row in the top boat this season will not be easy.

"Every year is different," Quinlan says.  "Team and boat dynamics change a bit.  Competitors change and race tactics change.  We don't know the skill set that the Varsity 8, 2nd Varsity 8, and Freshman 8 will need to succeed in 2009."

"We know the fundamentals that we will need and we know that we will need to be in top physical condition and possess tremendous character," he continues.  "But boat characteristics of race instincts, tactics, and personality will be determined over the next few months."

The Hawks once again used the fall season to build a more cohesive team.

"The boat lineups were mixed every week," Quinlan reveals.  "We tried different lineups to give the athletes a chance to step up and make something happen.  The varsity squad also spent half their time racing in doubles to help them develop the feel of boat movement and blade work."

Throughout the fall, SJU raced in both regattas and head-to-head competition.  The Hawks turned in particularly strong showings at the Navy Day and Frostbite Regattas on the Schuylkill.  The races gave the Hawks a taste of what to expect this spring.

"We have been aggressive in our scheduling over the past few years," remarks Quinlan.  "The race experiences will without a doubt be an asset this spring."

Speaking of experience, the Hawks bring plenty of it to the water this season.  Among the eight returning Varsity 8 rowers are senior co-captains Debbie Bateman and Lauren Sysol, as well as junior co-captain Colleen Greway.  Also returning to the top boat are senior Samantha Wilson, junior Christina DiSanto, and sophomores Danielle Brady and Brianne Kammerman.

In addition to the wealth of experience on the Varsity 8 boat, every returning rower on the roster competed in a Grand Final at the 2008 Dad Vail Regatta and earned at least one medal at last year's Atlantic 10 Championships.

That experience will be a big advantage for Saint Joseph's this spring as the Hawks have a rigorous competition schedule planned out.  After a four-way meet with Delaware, Drexel and Lehigh, the Hawks will take part in the Jesuit Invitational on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, N.J.  The Murphy Cup and a dual race with Connecticut on the Schuylkill will get SJU prepared for the San Diego Crew Classic on the first weekend in April.  The George Washington Invitational on Washington, D.C.'s Potomac River is on the docket for the following weekend before SJU returns to the Cooper River for the Atlantic 10 Championships.  The Hawks will close out the season on their home course for the Bergen Cup and, finally, the 2009 Dad Vail Regatta.

Quinlan's squad is not deterred by the challenge ahead.  In fact, he is sure that the Hawks will answer the bell in spectacular fashion this season.

"With a great 2007 and 2008 in the books, we are poised to set a new standard for Saint Joseph's women's rowing," Quinlan declares.  "We have had a lot of success over the past few years due almost solely to the character of our student-athletes and their dedication to each other.  Our training and technique have been practically the same over the past 10 years.  What has changed is our team dynamic - the student-athletes are the key to our continued success."