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PHILADELPHIA (May 14) -- The UConn women's rowing team won the Jack and Nancy Seitz Trophy as the women's champion of the Dad Vail Regatta on Saturday in Philadelphia. UConn's 23 points placed it well ahead of second place Purdue's 14. Local entries St. Joseph's and Villanova tied for third with 13 points apiece.

The UConn varsity eight (pictured to the left) won its final race and the Evelyn Bergman Trophy with a time of 7:23.24. Amongst other high Husky placings, the junior varsity eight was second with a time of 7:30.48 and the novice eight was third in its race, finishing in 7:54.33.

The varsity eight boat was comprised of Liz Glomb, Alison Elmo, Niki DeCambra, Brooke Grauer, Tina Spagnoli, Kali Garges, Jodi Hope, Erin Bartie and Ursula Henwood.

"Since the BIG EAST races, the varsity boat found its chemistry," says head coach Jennifer Sanford-Wendry. "That's why we won. Our stern six are walk-ons, only the bow pair and coxswain rowed in high school.  Our ERG scores are nothing special.  On paper, we shouldn't have won -- we went into the regatta seeded 6th.  It goes to show that heart, a belief in each other and boat chemistry can go a long way. The best thing about watching that race was seeing them come from behind with 750 meters to go.  I told them before they went out, if you're not ahead with 750 to go, you have to bump up the stroke rate there.  It's not what we've practiced, but if you want to win this thing, that's what you're going to have to do.  They were behind Villanova by about 3/4 of a length, took it up and it worked.  With 400 meters to go we had passed them then we just took it home."

The junior varsity eight (left) was comprised of Abbey Off, Christina Cotter, Stephanie Chivers, Katie Devonshuk, Nicole Rapp, Erin ANdersen, Heather Ferrick, Jenn Rogers and Valerie Voorhees.

"The JV raced hard, we were hoping and expecting to win," says Wendry. "Purdue obviously had the race of there life and put together a flawless row.  We felt that we had a solid piece and because of that held our heads high with the silver medal."

The UConn novice eight was comprised of Katie Beasley, Monica Parker, Kim Raetz, Whitney Peterson, Caitlin Meisinger, Kate Jureller, Kelly McGary, Arielle Shiely and Allyson Zoppa.

"The novice eight finished the race in a solid second place, but on the turn at the 600 meter mark, UConn steered into lane 2 for two strokes," says Wendry. "Cal State Long Beach protested and the end of the race and we were disqualified.  We protested the disqualification as we did not feel like we impeded their performance; the boats didn't hit, the oars didn't even clash."

After several meetings off the water, the officials decided to not disqualify UConn and just changed second and third place.

"We were happy that officially we weren't disqualified, and although it says in the books we were third, everyone in our boat knows we were truly second," says Wendry. "This novice eogjut is the future of our program and has had an outstanding year.  I am so excited to work with all of them as varsity rowers next year."

The varsity four was comprised of Gabbey LaChance, Heather Cannon, Kerri Mocko, Bethany Caron and Michelle Stathers.

"Winning the points trophy was just as sweet as winning the Varsity eight. This team has been so supportive of each other all year.  It has been my most enjoyable year of coaching at UConn, and to be able to walk away not only winning the premier event of the regatta, but being able to be the Women's Points Champion was perfect.  Everyone on this team worked so hard this year and now everyday we will have a reminder of that when we walk into practice and can see that trophy."

The 2005 Dad Vail consisted of 118 schools, 502 boats, 1,675 female athlete, a total of 3,287 athletes and 175 volunteers.