RIDGEFIELD, New Jersey - Marist women's rowing traveled to Ridgefield, NJ's Overpeck Park this past weekend to compete at the NYRA Fall Invitational (2000m). Marist traveled with three Varsity 8s and one Varsity 4. The format was a morning race with all teams in randomly drawn lanes and the afternoon race with lane placement based on results from the first round.
 
The regatta included crews from UConn, Fairfield, Manhattan and Marist.
 
The Varsity 8 consisted of coxswain Abby Cieplinski, Gabrielle Insero, Summer Starrett, Natalia Miklos, Emma Jauch, Ashley Surette, Caroline Voorhis, Genevieve Anderson and Lauren Muhr. The crew raced well in the first round and ended the morning 3.5 seconds behind UConn while staying ahead of Fairfield and Manahattan. After reviewing the first race, this crew was confident and knew what they had to do to be more competitive in the afternoon. A stronger start and effective shift aided the confidence of the crew in the afternoon's race.  Marist and UConn traded blows for the entire length of the course and it was great for the crew to hold on for a half second advantage at the finish line. Final Results: Marist 6:59.306, UConn 6:59.746, Fairfield 7:13.119, Manhattan 7:58.446
 
The 2^nd Varsity 8 consisted of coxswain Emma Spiro, Natalie Ronan, Isabel Consavari, Avalon Johnson, Katie Beichert, Jessica Zygmunt, Jennifer Liguori, Rebecca Paul and Emily Liguori. This boat had two hard fought races as well.  Round one placed our crew in 2^nd behind UConn and ahead of Fairfield and Manhattan.  The crew reviewed the race and attacked the final with a goal of improving the middle half of the course. UConn once again proved to be the superior crew, however, the middle portion of the course saw Marist press hard and expand its lead over Fairfield and Manhattan.  Final Results:  UCONN 7:07.812, MARIST 7:22.406, FFD 7:25.349, MAN 7:39.562
 
The 3^rd Varsity 8 consisted of coxswain(s) Juliette Savarino (Race 1) and Carina Pascucci (Race 2), Shelby McDougall, Charlotte Beer, Lilly Green, Lacey Schatzel, Kaleigh Tompkins, Caroline Egan, Casey Hodge and Alex Gibeault. This was the first 2000m race for seven members of the crew and it raced remarkably well.  Finishing third of four in the first race created motivation to narrow the gap and row better in the afternoon and this crew did exactly that. Final Results: UConn 3V 7:25.909, Fairfield 7:54.606, Marist 7:59.948, UConn 4V 8:25.760.
 
The Varsity 4 consisted of coxswain Ariana Novero, Courtney Clark, Victoria Stout, Dreama Manganiello and Isabella Rivera. The morning race was competitive across all three lanes, but UConn led wire to wire with Marist and Fairfield racing tightly for second and third. The afternoon race found UConn and Marist fighting for the lead down the course while Fairfield continued to push from the third position. Final Results: UConn 8:11.953, Marist 8:13.840, Fairfield 8:24.741.
 
Once again, the weather was abnormally warm and pleasant for a fall regatta, particularly in November.  The entire team enjoyed the great conditions and gained a lot of valuable racing experience on the buoyed 2000m course. 
 
The final fall race for the Red Foxes' women's crews will be next Saturday at the Fall Metropolitan Championship, hosted by Iona University.