GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The No. 3 Nova Southeastern rowing team captured a fourth-place finish in its last race of the season, the Grand Final at the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship May 29 at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, Calif.

“This was a really fantastic experience for our team,” said John Gartin. “Both boats rowed exceptionally well against the best field, both V4 and V8, that I have seen at nationals in a very long time. The total experience after a year hiatus has now set our personal desire on fire to not just get back to nationals but to go faster. We had an absolutely fantastic season and we have zero regrets.”

The Sharks were matched up against the most dominant crews in the country. The competition was as follows: No. 1 and six-time returning national champions Western Washington, No. 2 one-time national champions Mercyhurst and No. 4 Humboldt State.

Manning the Varsity 8 was coxswain Elizabeth Tortorici (Fr., Winter Park, Fla.), Alyssa O'Donnell (Jr., Ballston Spa, N.Y.), Lauren Boudreau (So., Waterford, N.Y.), Jessica Sutter (Jr., Miami Beach, Fla.), Abigail Schiavo (Fr., Northfield, N.J.), Catherine Plesko (Fr., Brandon, Fla.), Claire Kurlychek (Jr., Land O'Lakes, Fla.), Taylor Van Horn (Fr., Cape Coral, Fla.) and Mallorie Reinecke (Jr., Buffalo, N.Y.).

With a strong start and 500-meters into the race the Sharks were fighting for second place being only a seat or two behind No. 2 Mercyhurst.

As the race continued to the halfway point, NSU was looking to make up the boat and a half lead but powerful Western Washington had gained in the 500-meter span.

The Sharks battled back to gain ground for the remainder of the race being fast and clean but Wastern Washington had too much speed to match, earning its seventh consecutive title.

The Sharks captured a fourth-place finish with a time of 7:13.65, which was roughly 20 seconds off the pace of the leader.

Highlights of the Divisions I, II and III Women’s Rowing Championships will appear on the 2011 CBS Sports Presents Championships of the NCAA (spring seasonal show), set to air at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19 on CBS.

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