In Review


Rochester鈥檚 first varsity eight won the 鈥淎鈥 division race at 75th Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia this spring, defeating Marietta College and Emory University, while the second varsity eight won the 鈥淏鈥 division by three one-hundredths of a second over Haverford College.
The wins moved the Yellowjackets into the national rankings by the end of the season, finishing in a tie for 14th place in the final national poll conducted by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association and US Rowing.
鈥淭he women worked extremely hard this season, making steady progress each week as different parts of their race plan improved,鈥 said coach John Gaskin, who along with assistant coach Nicole Felluca served as interim head coaches for the spring season. 鈥淭his week everything came together to peak for this championship event.鈥
Gaskin, who has served as an assistant coach of the Rochester program since 2009, was named Rochester鈥檚 new director of rowing in June, succeeding William Greene. In addition to providing administrative oversight to men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 crews, Gaskin will serve as head coach of the women鈥檚 varsity team.
鈥淛ohn brings a wide range of experience to this position,鈥 said George Vander-Zwaag, director of Athletics and Recreation. 鈥淔irst and foremost, his technical rowing knowledge is significant. Coupled with his successful coaching and business experience, he is uniquely qualified to lead our programs as director of rowing.鈥
The first varsity eight, which placed fifth in the state meet, consisted of Rhiannon Vaughn 鈥14, Monika Cepulis 鈥14, Serra Sevenler 鈥15, Emily Widra 鈥15, Allie Born 鈥15, Juliana Orlov 鈥15, Bella Clemente 鈥16, and Clare McMahon 鈥16. Julia Evans 鈥14 was coxswain.
The second varsity boat included Francesca Ossi 鈥13, Mary Willis 鈥15, Stacy Miller 鈥15, Kara Lambson 鈥15, Lindsay Willstatter 鈥16, Becky Chu 鈥16, Amanda Kierstead 鈥16, Katherine Peterson 鈥16, and coxswain Emma Pollock 鈥16.
Women鈥檚 rowing operated as a club sport for more than 20 years before competing as a varsity sport for the first time during the 2009鈥10 season. By moving to varsity status, the women鈥檚 team became eligible for the NCAA Division III rowing championships.
Dennis O鈥橠onnell is director of athletic communications for the Department of Athletics and Recreation.锘