April 6, 2003

The Duke University rowing team had two crews finish fifth in their respective races at the San Diego Crew Classic on Saturday. The Blue Devils varsity eight took fifth in the 14-crew invitation only Jessop-Whittier Cup.

Last year, Duke's varsity 8+ won the California Cup. This year's crew of Jessi Batzell (c), Amelia Booth, Katie Lakin, Joanna Hingle, Natalie Zervas, Mae Joyce Gay, Abby Hawkins, Kim Bailey and Missy Buckmiller finished the course in 7:13.37. California won the heat with a time of 6:54.24, while Washington finished in second (6:54.96) less than one second behind the winners.

The Blue Devils second varsity 8+ of Kareen Murray (c), Amanda Adam, Kara Cerwensky, Lauren Case, Kim Meyer, Alex Owen, Christine Lauro, Leah Frank-Finney and Julie Stuart also placed fifth in its heat with a time of 7:54.88.