Alumnae Race in the Head of the Potomac to Celebrate 30 Years of Women's Rowing at Georgetown
On September 24, 2005 the women’s alumni gathered to race at the annual Head of the Potomac regatta to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Women’s Crew at Georgetown University.
The day started off with the Master Women’s four comprised of coxswain Jenny Foy ’85, Maureen Kseniak ’83, Andi Pennisi Stephenson ’78, Michelle Faurot ’82 and Kim Snedden ’87 who showed off their speed and talent with a fourth place finish in time of 21:29.9. Rowing for the first time together they certainly proved themselves against the likes of other crews who train for the event.
Then two eights competed in the Women’s category for the 3-mile race. The first boat, representing the early to mid-nineties, included, from stroke seat, Erika Kuswa ’95, Cathy Symon, 93, Jill Kaiser Duncan ’93, Olwen Huxley, Colleen Corcoran ’97, Marianne Oliva ’95, Liz Picanso White ’97, and Christine DeLalio Shiffer ’94. With an amazing second place finishing time of 18:29.6 they were just 21 seconds behind Navy Women’s Crew.
The second eight brought together the younger alumni with Ashlee Brannen ’02 stroking followed by Kirsten Catanzano ’98, Jess Maley ’03, Carolyne Dilgard- Clark ’99, Kara Ethier ’03, Melissa (Conradi) Davenport ’99, Stephanie Kinzel ’03 and Kearney Posner ’99. They finished fourth with a time of 18:45.1.
Just as impressive as the number of women who rowed were the alumni supporting them from the side lines. The cheerleaders included Caitlin Huntley ’03, Tara Gavin ’01, Julie Merritt ’00, Amanda Carson ’00, Allison Benedetti ’00, Amy (Wood) Omand ’99, Eleanor (Gailey) Rathbone ’99, Kristen Nienhaus ’98, Sally Martindale ’98, Sarah (Johnson) Brown ‘97, Laura (Hoyt) Pasch ’96, Vanessa Chipman Flory ’95 , Liz Stucke ’88, Nancy Bolan ’87, JoAnn Grainger ‘80, Jennifer MacDonald ’78 and of course the respective families and friends of those who gathered for the affair.
After checking each others’ new found blisters (a loving reminder that oars are our friends), the group meandered to Chadwick’s to unwind and converse over nachos and drinks (this time no broken tables to speak of). Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, the afternoon brought together what is best about rowing for Georgetown - the family one joins. The women’s openweight coach Jimmy King and lightweight coach Jim O’Connor joined the group, along with head coach Tony Johnson.
All in all it was a remarkable day to celebrate a remarkable program. The Georgetown Women’s Crew of today is build upon the strong foundation laid by thirty years of women’s rowing, from the women who started the program, and then pushed for it to be considered a varsity sport, to the women who won Dad Vails and Championship Regattas, to the women who led the program into a new era, by rowing at the Eastern Sprints and at the NCAA Championships, to the women who worked to create a lightweight squad, and to all the women who continued to love and support this sport.
We were reminded that our women’s program is made up of a respected, dedicated group of individuals who bring out the best in themselves and each other. As alumni we continue to look forward to what the future will bring.
Thank you to all the alumni for coming and showing your support.
We wish to thank Georgetown Crew’s coaching staff, Georgetown Rowing Association and Hoyas Unlimited. A special thanks to Carolyne Dilgard-Clark for organizing the event. It is the continued support and dedication of alumni which makes such events possible.
Future events will be schedule in the spring of 2006. For further information on crew alumni events check the Events page of this site and be sure to update your contact information with Hoyas Unlimited. In addition, feel free to contact Carolyne Dilgard-Clark with questions about the 30th Anniversary celebration.
