SJU Athletics Photos

Coming off a solid 2001-02 season, the Saint Joseph's University women's rowing team aims to leave its mark on the national scene this year. Bolstered by a full season in the Robert Gillin, Jr. Boathouse that was completed in the spring, the Hawks return 14 rowers with varsity experience, while 11 other student-athletes make the jump up from the novice program. A competetive fall campaign should set the tone for SJU as it embarks on an enhanced racing schedule in 2003. Senior tri-captains Shannon Deegan, Stef Smith, and Suzanne Philips will lead the Crimson and Gray on the water and should be the backbone of the team's talented Varsity 8 crew. Joining the three captains will be junior standout Mary Jameson, who rowed with the Varsity 8 crew last year. Competition for the remaining seats in the boat will be fierce with individuals from last season's highly-regarded Second Varsity 8 and Freshman 8 boats that medalled at the 2002 Avaya Regatta in the mix. Seniors Sarah Banfer and Jen Steel, junior Megan Nechanicky, as well as sophomores Lauren Gallagher, Caterina Silvestrini, Brigid Morrison, Maureen Demer, Bernice McPherson and Marci Armetta could all see time in the Varsity 8 during the season. Regardless, the team's Varsity 8 and 2nd Varsity 8 boats should be as physically gifted as any the program has raced in recent memory. The spring of 2003 will feature the revival of the Hawks' Lightweight 8. The nationally-ranked boat captured back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference titles in 2000 and 2001, but took 2002 off as the program revamped its approach to lightweight rowing. Juniors Martha Limbach and Jenn Wilson will be the power behind this boat after competing in the Varsity 8 in 2002. Sophomore Alison Vaughan and several freshman will likely fill out the crew's remaining slots. A talented freshman class will maintain the momentum established by last year's successful novice crews. Highlighting the newcomers is 2002 U.S. Junior National Teamer Laura Hill. The daughter of SJU men's head coach Drew Hill, she is joined by top prep rowers Christen Scanlon, Jenn Linck, Amanda Holland, Emily Martin and coxswain Katie Parry. Other experienced first-year rowers include Maureen Owston, Brianna Kearns, Caitlin Fritz, Courtney Cronauer, Samantha Gitman and Margaret Reidy. An athletic group of walk-ons should push for spots in the first freshman 8, as well as in the Lightweight 8. Coming off a 2001-02 season in which the team honed its technique and gained valuable race experience, hopes are high in 2003. Likely to be in the hunt for medals at nearly every regatta, this year's team should be back in the top three of the Atlantic 10 Conference and aims to qualify all of its 8s in the Dad Vail finals.