SJU Athletics Photos

With a physical and athletic team back in the fold, head coach Gerry Quinlan has high hopes for the Saint Joseph's University women's rowing team in 2001-02. Although graduation has sapped the squad of some of its most experienced rowers, the talented returnees have made competition for spots in the top boat fierce. Captains sophomore Shannon Deegan and senior Lauren Sumser will lead the team and anchor the squad's Varsity 8. Also likely to hold down spots on the Varsity 8 are returnees sophomore Jen Steel and senior Karen Rensman. Fellow sophomores Mary Jameson and Julie Conroy and junior Diana Janik should also contribute, helping to increase the boat's overall speed. In addition to these veteran rowers, an immediate impact from freshman Caterina Silvestrini, Maureen Demer, Victoria Zunino and transfer Megan Nechamicky. All four are expected to vie for a seat in the Varsity 8. The nationally ranked Lightweight 8 graduated five oarswomen, but returns senior Faith Seher, juniors Stef Smith and Steph Amundsen and sophomore Kara Beres. Joining this quartet will be Martha Limbach, who turned in a strong season for the freshman team last year and rowed several races in the Lightweight 8 in 2001. SJU hopes this group can continue the program's long history of national success in the Lightweight 8. While the most seasoned rowers should hold down the spots on the two tops boats, the coaching staff hopes that a different approach to teaching the program's many walk-ons will pay handsome rewards. Quinlan expects the freshmen will learn to scull immediately in the fall to establish a feel for the stroke and the water. He hopes this approach will pay dividends and make the transistion to sweep for their first competition easy. As always, the Hawks will take on one of the most demanding schedules in the East. The squad will row at some of the region's most prestigious regattas in the fall including the Head of the Charles, the Head of the Schuykill and the Frostbite Regatta. The team will also get a taste of conference competition at the always tough Atlantic 10 Head Race.