University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Atlantic 10 Championships
UMass Finishes Second At A-10 Championships
April 17, 2010 | Rowing
April 17, 2010
PENNSAUKEN, N.J. - Rhode Island finished first in the Varsity 8+ and Second Varsity 8+ Grand Finals to take the 2010 Atlantic 10 Championship over UMass Rowing on Saturday in Pennsauken, N.J. Massachusetts finished second overall, totaling 40 points on the Cooper River. The Minutewomen placed first in the Varsity 4+, but could not overcome the Rams' 14-point lead heading into the final race.
With scoring based on the new NCAA points system, only the Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ events received points towards the team championship. Seniors Megan Donovan and Samantha Smith were named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team, while Amanda Doolin and Alexandra DiMatteo were each named to the A-10 All-Conference Second Team.
With the win, the Rams won their second conference title in the last three seasons after UMass took the 2009 crown last season. The Rhody Varsity 8+ boat set the pace in the Grand Final, completing the course with a time of 6:37.08 while the Minutewomen clocked in at 6:54.04, a fifth place finish.
Heading into the Second Varsity 8+ race, the Minutewomen trailed Rhode Island 27-15, and needed a strong performance from coxswain Carly Payne's boat. Massachusetts placed second in the race (6:49.91), but couldn't get ahead of the Rams, who crossed the finished three seconds ahead and held a 45-31 overall lead over the Minutewomen.
Only nine points were awarded to the winner of the Varsity 4+, meaning that Rhode Island had already clinched the title before the final race begun. UMass refused to give in, however, finishing 13 seconds ahead of the opponents with a time of 7:44.05 to secure a second place finish overall.
In exhibition races, the Minutewomen finished third in both the Novice 8+ (7:22.20) and Novice 4+ (8:30.26) behind URI and La Salle, respectively. Massachusetts took first in the Lightweight 4+ (8:11.00), 13 seconds ahead of second place Dayton.
St. Joseph's finished first in the Quad final with a time of 7:14.06, just ahead of the Minutewomen (7:22.77) and Temple (8:06.10). In the final race of the day, the UMass Pair of Teresa O'Brien and Emily Hagan finished nearly 30 seconds in front of two Rhode Island Pairs with a time of 8:33.03.
UMass Rowing will return to the Connecticut River for two races next weekend, beginning with MIT on Saturday before a 9 AM meeting with Vermont on Sunday.
Final Team Standings:
1. Rhode Island 53
2. Massachusetts 40
3. Saint Joseph's 39
3. Temple 39
5. Fordham 31
6. George Washington 30
7. Dayton 19
8. Duquesne 8
Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team:
Lydia Caldwell - Dayton
Catherine Helmer from La Salle,
Colleen Greway - St. Joseph's
Christina DiSanto - St. Joseph's
Mary Webster - Temple
Bailey Chick - Temple
Samantha Smith - Massachusetts
Megan Donovan - Massachusetts
Jenna Hetzell - Rhode Island
Becky Cotreau - Rhode Island
Raejean Pearse-Theroux - Rhode Island
Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team:
Mary Deet - Duquesne
Lauren O'Donnell - La Salle
Alyssa Sunofsky - Fordham
Tina Regan - St. Joseph's
Nicole Wagner - Temple
Amanda Doolin - Massachusetts
Alexandra DiMatteo - Massachusetts
Jenessa Redfern - Rhode Island
2010 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year:
Shelagh Donohoe - Rhode Island
