FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No. 3 Nova Southeastern rowing team is set for their last regatta of the season in the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship on May 27-29 at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, Calif. Washington State University will serve as host.

The Varsity 8 will be put to the test as they compete against very reputable and experienced crews. The team championship is composed of four teams and each team is required to field one boat of eight rowers and one boat of four rowers. The teams selected were No. 4 Humboldt State, No. 2 Mercyhurst, No. 3 Nova Southeastern and No. 1 Western Washington.

In addition, two at-large Eights from institutions not represented in the team competition were selected. The two schools selected were No. 7 Barry and No. 5 Seattle Pacific.

The Varsity 8 proved to be a formidable force this season, winning seven races and dual events including its victory at the SSC Championship. The Shark 8 won SSC Boat of the Week five times this spring.

No. 1 Western Washington will be looking to obtain its seventh consecutive national championship, retaining the title since 2005. No. 2 Mercyhurst is the only Division II crew competing that has won the national title back in 2004.

Manning the SSC Boat of the year Varsity 8, comprised of four All-SSC members will be 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.).

Taking to the water looking to reclaim the national championship the team won in 2009 will be the Varsity 4 of All-SSC coxswain Marissa Stickles (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.), Heather Higbee (So., Ocean View, N.J.), Elizabeth Hurley (Sr., Fort Mill, S.C.), Sarah Patterson (So., Winter Park, Fla.) and Kayla Wieseckel (Jr., Roswell, Ga.)

The Shark 4 has remained at a strong and steady pace all year playing as a key contributor to the team’s Sunshine State Conference Championship.

The Sharks last national appearance came in 2009 where the Varsity 4 claimed the programs first ever individual national championship. In the team standings, Western Washington claimed its fifth-straight team title, garnering 18 points. Mercyhurst was second with 13 points. NSU took third with 11 points.

The 2011 NCAA National Championship will have live video provided by NCAA.com

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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