Crew: Girls All-Stars: Top boats, Elite 11 rankings, lookahead
Varsity eight
Holy Spirit
Finally emerged as the area's top varsity eight with faster times than rival Absegami in the Stotesbury Cup and Schalastic Rowing Association of America regattas. Placed second to Bishop Eustace at the Garden State Scholastic Rowing Championships and fourth at the Philadelphia City Championships.
Lauren Slattery, Michelle Smith, Bethany Desmond, Dana DiStefano, Taylor Mason, Megan Gleason, Maggie Vesper, Sofia Iaconelli, coxswain Jessica Hogan (Sydnie Pennington and Sally Widmann were in the boat for some of the season.)
Second eight
Holy Spirit
Went unbeaten until the Stotesbury Cup, winning the Garden State, Philadelphia City and Atlantic County titles. Second to James Madison at Stotesbury and fifth at Nationals.
Megan Hogan, Amber Worton, Taylor Troy, Lauren Turner, Rebecca Bross, Alexis Theuret, Sydnie Pennington, Cayleigh McCusker, coxswain Nicole Kilar
Lightweight eight
Holy Spirit
The area's most successful crew, and it was all sophomores and juniors. Second to Montclair at the Garden State event, but then won at City's, Atlantic County, Stotesbury and SRAA. Won the B final (seventh place) in the USRowing Youth Nationals on Sunday in Oak Ridge, Tenn., losing only to club teams.
Shannon La Sala, Nicole Maslowas, Katie Bainbridge, Tara Puhalski, Caroline Bradley, Tori Light, Cailin McCully, Danielle Peck, coxswain Kiersten Stone
Varsity four
Mainland Regional
Another that went undefeated until the Stotesbury Cup, winning the first three championships. Finished second to Merion Mercy (Pa.) at both Stotesbury and Nationals.
Kennedy Stafford, Morgan Rann, Amanda Ryan, Stacey Price, coxswain Kelsey Franks
Freshman eight
Atlantic City
Got the edge in an exciting competition with Holy Spirit with victories in the Garden State and Atlantic County events, and a better finish at Nationals. Holy Spirit was faster at the City and Stotesbury events.
Pinelopi Siganos, Lauren Stinson, Maddie Gragg, Katie Blanchard, Haley Huff, Abby Pierson, Jacy Craig, Abbey Gragg, coxswain Lara Storr
Junior eight
Holy Spirit
Won the Atlantic County race by more than 17 seconds and reached the finals at the other four championship regattas. Second at Garden States, third at City's, fourth at Stotesbury and fifth at the SRAA.
Melissa Clark, Christine Wojciechowicz, Erin Coffman, Sally Widmann, Nichole Vizthum, Catie Vesper, Mikaela Baldino, Kristi Spicer, coxswain Claire McLenna (Megan Gleason was in the boat for part of the season.)
Varsity quad
Our Lady of Mercy Academy
Won Garden State and County events, and was fifth at City Championships.
Allana Zapariello, Rebekah Catalana, Jennie Knapp, Toni Labelle
Lightweight four
Egg Harbor Township
Won the Garden State, City and County championships. Placed fourth at Stotesbury.
Caroline Wilhelm, Katie Transue, Brittany Winkler, Lauren Baruffi, coxswain Nicasia D'Alessandro
Junior four
Egg Harbor Township
Took first at Garden State and County events, plus fourth at City regatta and third at Nationals.
Kristine Auble, Rachel Reinhard, Emily Woods, Bea Eribal, coxswain Vida Torres
Novice eight
Atlantic City
Took first at Garden State and Atlantic County events. Novice boats don't compete at Stotesbury or Nationals.
Erin Cunningham, Teresa Burns, Kristen Tarantino, Shannon Dickson, Madison Guyon, Jackie Taimanglo, Jamie Walters, Danielle Naoum, coxswain Lexi Derrickson
Freshman quad
Holy Spirit
Won Garden State and County regattas. Also was second at Philadelphia City event, fifth at Stotesbury and third at Nationals.
Kati Blanchet, Kelsey Poley, Noelle Sullivan, Julia Reardon
Varsity double
Egg Harbor Township
Third at Garden State races and a winner at Atlantic County regatta. Sixth in a semfinal at Nationals.
Lauren Wright, Heather Wilson
A look ahead
Despite losing nine seniors, Holy Spirit should stay strong with the members of its lightweight eight and junior eight returning. Absegami also will rebuild but should be a challenger. Egg Harbor Township will have about half of its top rowers back. Mainland returns all four rowers from its talented varsity four. Atlantic City has a good young program and will contend, and Oakcrest and Vineland should continue to improve. Ocean City and Our Lady of Mercy Academy must rebuild. Look for Cedar Creek to make more progress.
The Press Elite 11
1. Holy Spirit
2. Bishop Eustace Prep
3. Absegami
4. Egg Harbor Township
5. Mainland Regional
6. Moorestown
7. Atlantic City
8. Oakcrest
9. Haddon Township
10. Ocean City
11. Our Lady of Mercy Academy