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Bulldogs Earns Two IRA Bids
May 26, 2006
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University men's crew program received two bids to the IRA National Championships as qualifiers were announced by the competition committee earlier this week. Gonzaga will enter a Varsity 4+ and Novice 8+ at this year's races set for June 1-3 at Cooper River in Camden, NJ. This will be the first time in program history that the Bulldogs have earned a berth with a Novice 8+. "This is a great step forward for our entire program," stated men's head coach Dan Gehn. "This is the first time we have been able to get a Novice 8+ into the IRA's. That group of guys has done an outstanding job this year and I think the win over Oregon State at the Opening Day Regatta is what helped get the bid." Gonzaga's Novice 8+ includes coxswain Amanda Brown, stroke Greg Malman, Brendan McCarthy, Andre' Gallant, Pat Swihart, Ryan Roller, Brian Franceschi, Andrew Langfield and bow Jeff Haguewood. The boat placed second at the Opening Day Regatta and second at the WIRA championships. Gonzaga's Varsity 4+ will be comprised of four rowers with previous IRA experience. The boat includes coxswain Meghan Quinn, stroke Connor Barry, David Hinshaw, Matthew Wernette and bow Warren North. Last year Gonzaga also entered two boats in the IRA championships with both boats finishing seventh in the nation. Gonzaga had a Varsity 4+ and Novice 4+ compete last season. The Bulldogs are currently on the East Coast for several days of training at the George Washington University boat house. The Bulldogs will race against GWU on Saturday morning with a mixture of boats as both schools prepare for the IRA's. Seeding for the championships will be released next week.
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