Sept. 29, 2008

PITTSBURGH - The rain did not wipe out all of the 2008 Head of the Ohio Regatta on as the Open 4+ as well as a pair of alumni boats represented the Duquesne rowing program Saturday afternoon on the Allegheny River.

The regatta started off with a pair of former Dukes rowers, Sara Slear and Sara Shippen taking first place in the Women's Open 2. Slear, a Duquesne former assistant coach and Shippen, a current assistant coach, finished in 18:59.71.

The alumni 8+ was represented by Jess Lisjak as coxswain, Kate Talarczyk, Megan McKeon, Mackenzie Monarko, Carrie Hamorsky, Sara Shippen, Katie Fill, Jenn McDonald, and Lauren Thorpe. The crew finished third with a time of 17:25.27 ahead of the Miami University Rowing Club and the Penn State University Crew.

The Dukes has a pair of boats in the Women's Open 4+. The boat with Desirae Smith as coxswain and Miriam Bovich in stroke, with Katie Hodnik, Andrea Komanecky, and Brittany DelPizzo in bow finished 11th (18:17.20). Finishing 14th (18:39.78) was coxswain Kolby Clendenen, stroke Anna Nemmer, with Kate Gorcyca, Katie Arias, and Nia Lafferty in bow. The race feature a total of 21 teams.

Next up for Coach Joe Setting's team is the Head of the Fish in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Oct. 25 and 26.