Orangwomen Claim Championship of the BIG EAST Rowing Challenge; SU’s Sanford Named Conference Coach of the Year

Worcester, MA(April 29) — The Syracuse University rowing team won the inaugural BIG EAST Rowing Challenge and the Orangewomen’s head rowing coach, Kris Sanford, was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year on Sunday at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, MA.

Syracuse was powered to the title by first-place finishes from its varsity eight and junior varsity eight boats. Syracuse's varsity eight is unbeaten this spring with a 7-0 record. The boat, which was coxswained by Heather DiLoreto (East Amherst, NY), finished in 6:29.5. Meredith Kyle (Rochester, NY) was the bow on the varsity eight that finished six seconds ahead of second-place Rutgers. Notre Dame placed third in race.

Sanford is the first-ever Coach of the Year in the conference. The inaugural award was voted on by the BIG EAST rowing coaches.

“It is an honor to receive such an award," Sanford, SU's fifth-year head coach, said. "I have never received an award like this. There are a lot of good coaches in the BIG EAST and that makes this special."

In the junior varsity eight race Syracuse came from behind to defeat Notre Dame by nine-tenths of a second. Nicole Garofalo (Syracuse, NY, Liverpool HS) paced SU’s junior varsity eight from the stroke seat. Erin Gallagher (Upper Darby, PA) served as the coxswain on the junior varsity, which crossed the finish line in 6:42.3.

With Lesley Wolf (Syracuse, NY, Henninger HS) in the second seat, Syracuse’s varsity four-A took second place in 7:36.1. The Orange’s novice four placed fourth and the novice eight finished in fifth place.

Syracuse won the regatta, which was scored with a weighted-point system. Along with the Orange; Boston College, Connecticut, Georgetown, Miami, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Villanova and West Virginia were the BIG EAST schools competing in Worcester.

Syracuse’s next race, this Saturday, May 5, is its only home race of the season. The Orangewomen host Villanova and Massachusetts in a race for the Orange Plus Cup. Racing begins at 7:30 a.m. on Onondaga Lake.

Agate: Grand Final

Varsity Eight
1. SU 6:29.5
2. RU 6:35.58
3. ND 6:37.3

Junior Varsity Eight
1. SU 6:42.3
2. ND 6:43.2
3. RU 6:49.7

Varsity Four
1. WVU 7:33.8
2. SU-A 7:36.1
3. ND-A 7:45.6


Novice Eight
1. GU 6:56.8
2. ND 6:57.3
3. BC 7:01.1
5. SU 7:09.1

Novice Four
1. GU 7:54.6
2. VU 8:02.4
3. UC 8:09.9
4. SU 8:27.5

Syracuse University Athletics

Orangwomen Claim Championship of the BIG EAST Rowing Challenge; SU’s Sanford Named Conference Coach of the Year