Read full coverage of the Reading and Henley regattas in Athletics news.

Exeter, NH (June 22, 2007)—Fresh off a first-place finish in the Reading Amateur Regatta, the Phillips Exeter Academy girls’ crew team has advanced to the Henley Women’s Regatta in Thames, England this weekend. Two PEA teams will be among 11 from the United States and Canada—and more than 300 crews from seven countries—to compete.

Exeter’s four, comprised of 2007 graduates, is entered in the Senior Four Event for both school and college fours with coxswain, competing for the Frank Harry Cup. They will face the University of London Women’s Boat Club (UK) in the first round on Saturday, June 23. In a bid for the Peabody Cup, Exeter’s eight will also compete on June 23 in the Junior Eight Event for school crews from the United Kingdom and United States. They will have their first race against the winner of a contest between Tabor Academy (Marion, MA) and King’s School Worcester (UK). 

The senior four crew consists of:  (coxswain) Andrea Nortey ’07, (stroke) Catherine Morris ’07, (#3) Anna Johnson ’07, (#2) Catherine Lucy ’07 and (bow) Jessica Flakne ’07. The junior eight rowers are: (coxswain) Hannah Woodruff ’07, (stroke) Allison Courtin ’08, (#7) Rory Erickson-Kulas ’08, (#6) Erin Metcalf ’09, (#5) Elizabeth McDermott ’08, (#4) Katrina Regan ’08, (#3) Rebecca Kisner ’08, (#2) Nancy McKinstry ’08 and (bow) Catherine McDermott ’08.

“We are finding the experience to be fantastic,” explained Sally Morris, the girls’ crew coach, who is traveling with the team. Using borrowed equipment, the Exonians are seeing new ways of rowing, as well as enjoying the exhilaration of competing in one of the world’s most hallowed rowing locales. “The girls are learning a lot about different rowing styles,” Morris added. “We’re seeing the extended layback, the slow hands and quick legs . . .  in addition to seeing people who use our style of smooth acceleration out of bow.” For the coxswains, there are many challenges to racing on the Thames River. “The coxswains have to keep their wits about them as the river gets more and more crowded each day,” Morris explained. “The course is set with booms, starting and finishing stations, and temporary docks.”

For some of the girls, the Henley Regatta will be the last time they row with fellow Exonians. “The seniors in the four are having one last good row together before departing from this closely knit team,” said Morris. “The girls in the eight, with the exception of the coxswain, are returning to race for Exeter next year. They are gaining invaluable experience. For a group of girls that have given so much of their hearts to rowing for Exeter, this opportunity has been a wonderful gift. They are aware of their fortune to be at Henley, and they are making the most of every day.”

To learn more about the Phillips Exeter Academy girls crew, visit http://www.exeter.edu/athletics/3165_3196.aspx and the Lion’s Eye at http://www.exeter.edu/news_and_events/news_events_8257.aspx. For more information on the current crew competition, check out the new Exeter crew website at http://www.exetercrew.com/wp/.

For more information on current events at Phillips Exeter Academy, call the public events line at (603) 777-4309 and visit the website’s News & Events section. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, students come from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. The diverse student body comes from approximately 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 26 foreign countries.