Nov. 6, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - In its final event of the fall season, Bucknell women's crew had a busy day at the Head of the Occoquan Saturday. The Bison had two boats compete in the varsity eight, while five more rowed in the novice eight race. Bucknell's top finish in the varsity eight was a sixth-place showing, which was third among collegiate teams, while its top novice crew claimed seventh place.

Bucknell's top varsity eight boat of coxswain-Lakshmi Bhagavatula, stroke-Danielle Monteverde, 7-Jessica Noonan, 6-Lisa Kim, 5-Lauren Olsen, 4-Christine Drasba, 3-Laura Roberts, 2-Lauren Ewald and bow-Rachel Trusheim finished sixth in the field of 16, but was behind only Army and Delaware among collegiate squads. The Bison crossed the finish line in a time of 18 minutes, 42 seconds. Army (18:24) and Delaware (18:27) were less than 20 seconds ahead of Bucknell. The Bison did edge out rivals Loyola (Md.) and George Mason in the standings.

Bucknell had a second boat of coxswain-Hope Heffner, stroke-Elizabeth Marut, 7-Rachel Goldstein, 6-Susan Shadle, 5-Kara Schroepfer, 4-Jenna Goldstein, 3-Jen Prunoske, 2-Courtney Luzzi and bow-Erin Henry that finished 12th in the field in a time of 20:00.

In the novice eight competition, Bucknell placed a pair of crews within the top 10, while three others placed 16th, 23rd, and 27th in the field of 29. The top boat placed seventh. That crew consisted of coxswain-Coral Swartz, stroke-Ariel Farrar-Wellman, 7-Laurie Deitemeyer, 6-Katherine Abbott, 5-Katherine Brewster-Duffy, 4-Ashley Wulf, 3-Anne Bacon, 2-Megan Young and bow-Amanda Gallina.

The other top 10 boat claimed ninth place and included coxswain-Jessica Scott, stroke-Gillian Young, 7-Amy Van Nostrand, 6-Sophie Bird, 5-Allison Schaffer, 4-Jayne Kubat, 3-Jennie Trayes, 2-Jessica Glenn and bow-Jenna Kotyk.

"We had a good day," commented Bucknell head coach Stephen Kish. "It was a great way to end our fall season and I was pleased with our performance."

The Head of the Occoquan closed out Bucknell's fall season. The Bison will open their spring season against Susquehanna University in Shamokin Dam, Pa., Saturday, Feb. 26.