July 19, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia women's rowing announced its Class of 2011 on Thursday.

The class of 18 incoming student-athletes has committed to row for the Cavaliers next season. The class includes those who have signed National Letters of Intent as well as those who have accepted enrollment to the University.

"I am really looking forward to having this class," head coach Kevin Sauer said. "They will bring a new wave of excitement to the program. There are some really talented athletes that will make an immediate impact."

Claudia Blandford (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) of Vincent Massey High School will represent Canada in the double sculls at the 2007 Junior World Championships.

Colleen Beichert (Blue Bell, Pa.) rowed with the second varsity eight at Mt. St. Joseph Academy.

Katelin Benson (Lake Forest Park, Wash.) of University Prep High School won a silver medal with the U.S. eight at the 2006 Junior World Championships.

Christine Candland (Greenwich, Conn.) was a coxswain and team captain at Greenwich Academy.

Susie Chalker (Mercer Island, Wash.) of Mercer Island High School participated in the 2006 junior team development camp and the 2007 junior team selection camp.

Alex Churbuck (Cotuit, Mass.) of the Brooks School won the 2005 Youth Invitational in the four.

Emily Farrior (Tampa, Fla.) of Plant High School participated in the 2006 southeast development camp.

Jane Henningson (Branford, Conn.) was the coxswain of the first boat at Phillips Academy Andover.

Jenn Lampen (Alexandria, Va.) of Thomas Jefferson High School attended the 2006 junior team development camp.

Kat McKinney (Fairfax Station, Va.) was a coxswain and two-time team captain at W.T. Woodson High School.

Lieve Pitts (Charlottesville, Va.) of Albemarle High School rowed at nationals for the Sagamore Rowing Association. Her older sister Mieke (`07) graduated in May after four years on the UVa crew.

Diana Rivkin (Dix Hills, N.Y.) was a coxswain for Half Hollow Hills High School. She earned the Iron Rowe Award three times.

Christine Roper (Reading, St. James, Jamaica) of the Kent School was a member of the Canada eight that won the 2006 CanAmMex Championship.

Lauren Shook (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.) of Grosse Pointe South High School is a member of the U.S. team for the 2007 Junior World Championships.

Katie Shretter (Great Falls, Va.) of the Madeira School rowed for Thompson's Boat Club.

Alyssa Smith (Woodbridge, Va.) played basketball at Woodbridge High School. A newcomer to rowing, she finished third in the four at the Stotesbury Regatta.

Caroline Sweeny (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) of Grosse Pointe South attended the 2006 junior development camp. She was a double winner at the 2006 Club Nationals.

Jillian Trigg (North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) of Seycove Secondary High School was a member in the single, double, and four at the 2006 Canadian Henley. She was named the 2006 Canadian Junior Sculler of the Year.

Name			Ht.	Hometown			High School

Claudia Blandford	5-8	Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada	Vincent Massey
Colleen Beichert 	5-10	Blue Bell, Pa.			Mt. St. Joseph Academy
Katelin Benson		5-9	Lake Forest Park, Wash.		University Prep
Christine Candland 	5-6	Greenwich, Conn.		Greenwich Academy
Susie Chalker 		5-6	Mercer Island, Wash.		Mercer Island
Alex Churbuck 		6-0	Cotuit, Mass.			Brooks School
Emily Farrior 		5-7	Tampa, Fla.			Plant
Jane Henningson 	5-2	Branford, Conn.	P		hillips Academy Andover
Jenn Lampen 		6-1	Alexandria, Va.			Thomas Jefferson
Kat McKinney 		5-4	Fairfax Station, Va.		W.T. Woodson
Lieve Pitts 		5-9	Charlottesville, Va.		Albemarle
Diana Rivkin 		5-4	Dix Hills, N.Y. 		Half Hollow Hills
Christine Roper 	6-2	Reading, St. James, Jamaica	Kent School
Lauren Shook 		5-9	Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.	Grosse Pointe South
Katie Shretter 		5-9	Great Falls, Va.		Madeira School
Alyssa Smith 		6-0	Woodbridge, Va.			Woodbridge
Caroline Sweeny 	5-8	Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.	Grosse Pointe South
Jillian Trigg 		6-1	North Vancouver, B.C., Canada	Seycove Secondary