March 19, 2009

Miami's first varsity eight boat was honored Thursday as the Atlantic Coast Conference's initial 2009 Crew of the Week.

The Hurricanes' first varsity eight crew is composed of Marleena Eyre (Seattle, Wash.), Monika Sajincic (Piran, Slovenia), Karalyn Van Aken (Thorold, Ontario), Camila Espana (Florence, Italy), Emily Wingrove (Gloucester, Va.), Sarah Medlund (Melbourne, Victoria), Laura Cordner (Melbourne, Victoria), Rachael Sporko (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), Frida Schneider (Oslo, Norway) and Shira Kharazzi (Alameda, Calif.). Van Aken substituted for Sajincic in Miami's win over Connecticut, while Kharazzi served as the coxswain in all three victories.

Miami defeated three opponents last week, downing Dowling College, Rochester and Connecticut in meets held in Miami.

The Hurricanes defeated Dowling, the nation's 2nd-ranked Division II first varsity eight boat, and Rochester, on March 11, recording a time of 6:52.06. Miami came back one day later to best Connecticut, turning in a 6:50.10 performance to the Huskies' 7:02.08. Miami captured three of four events against UConn dropping only the Novice Eight competition.

Miami is coached by Robbie Tennenbaum, in his 2nd year as the head rowing coach at UM.

The Hurricanes edged out the first varsity boat of 13th-ranked Clemson this week, as the Tigers downed Penn and Alabama in a meet at Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C.