Oct. 5, 2002

PITTSBURGH, PA -- - Duquesne's first full-time women's rowing coach, Katie Kirsten, got her charges off to a good start in the team's opening competition Saturday at this year's Head of the Ohio Rowing Regatta.

DU's women's rowing team opened the 2002 season with an impressive third place finish in the exhibition sprints in 61 degree weather on the Allegheny River. The Dukes, who had a time of 2:59.3, trailed crews from Wext Virginia and Dayton.

The 16th Annual Mercy Hospital Head of the Ohio Rowing Regatta featured over 4,000 entrants. This fund-raising event has generated more than $500,000 for the Mercy Hospital Burn Center.