Women's rowing earns bronze medal at season-opening Mayor's Cup
Pioneers back in action on March 28 against Purdue

March 14, 2009
TAMPA, Fla. — The Marietta College women’s rowing team opened its season by winning a bronze medal in the Varsity 8+ at the second annual Mayor’s Cup Saturday (March 14) afternoon. The Stewards Foundation, Inc., organized the 1,500m event, which took place on the Seddon Channel. [Results]

Head Coach Kelly Harris’ Varsity 8+ squad, which featured freshman stroke Kelli Barnette (Parkersburg, W.Va./South), freshman Elizabeth Bratton (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Basil Academy), senior Amanda Chuderewicz (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler Area), junior Caitlin Piotrowski (Dublin/Dublin Jerome), sophomore Brooke Exley (Phoenixville, Pa.), sophomore Megan Stuhlfauth (Hainesport, N.J./Merion Mercy Academy), sophomore Katherine Thomas (Cheswick, Pa./Fox Chapel Area), senior bow Krista Tkacz (Egg Harbor Twp, N.J) and junior coxswain Lauren Talasnik (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest), went head-to-head against five other boats, representing all three divisions of NCAA Rowing.

The Pioneers, who placed runner-up in the inaugural race a year ago, improved their time from a 2008 and covered the course in 4:53.64. Temple (Pa.) defended its title after crossing the line in 4:40.75. Division II Jacksonville (Fla.) placed second after finishing in 4:45.03. Division I Stetson (Fla.) was behind Marietta in fourth after rowing a time of 5:05.69. Division I Florida (5:08.39) placed fifth and Division III Emory (Ga.) (5:18.00) took sixth in the race.

In addition to the Varsity 8+, Marietta also competed in the Varsity 4+. Sophomore stroke Exley, sophomore Emily Davis (Louisville, Ky./J. Graham Brown), sophomore Michelle Tarracciano (Williston, Vt./Champlain Valley Union), freshman bow Jessica Amato (Shelby) and freshman coxswain Sara McDaniel (Laura/Milton-Union) placed fifth in their opening heat after covering the course in 5:53.08 and did not advance to the afternoon final, which was won by Emory.

Marietta rowing is back in action on Saturday (March 28) when it competes against rival Purdue in the Challenge Cup. This year’s battle will take place in Indianapolis, Ind.