Oct. 11, 2006

SHELTON, CT - Pioneer novice rowers showed they have what it takes at the 12th annual Head of the Housatonic Regatta on Saturday. At the most well-attended regatta yet by local host New Haven Rowing Club, junior, collegiate and masters crews from surrounding states launched boats in fair autumn weather to vie for dominance on a 2.5 mile stretch of the river in Shelton, CT.

Sacred Heart fielded a freshman four with Kristin Comeau at stroke, Mary Beth Reusche (3), Jennifer Wolf (2) and Melissa Lott rowing bow. Veteran Melissa Allen coxed the four to a bronze medal win in the team's new Resolute shell.

Eight other boats from UMass, Lesley, Amherst and Wesleyan competed in the event, with UMass and Lesley finishing in that order ahead of the Pioneer crew.

Sacred Heart rowed the course in 21:13.570, less than half a minute behind Lesely but almost two minutes behind the winners. Wesleyan, three Amherst crews, a UMass (Lowell) crew and a second Lesely crew followed up the Pioneers from 26 seconds to more than 7 minutes behind.

The SHU varsity squad, plagued by illness and injury, had disappointing results in the two varsity eights. Last-minute lineup changes and alternates in both boats left them slightly behind the competition in their event.