GOLD RIVER, Calif. — Marietta College women's rowing wrapped up its historic season Friday (May 27) at the 2011 NCAA Division III Rowing Championship.

The Pioneers, representing the Mid-Atlantic Region as an at-large varsity 8+, missed out on a trip to the petite final by taking sixth in the repechage after placing fifth in their opening heat earlier in the day. [Results]

Coxswain #Megan Oxley (Clarksburg, N.J./Allentown)#, stroke #Kelli Barnette (Parkersburg, W.Va./South)#, #Abigail Klicker (Avalon Borough, Pa./Northgate)#, #Anja Curwen (Carlisle Pa./St. Bouaventure)#, #Natalie Gravelsins (Eastlake/Eastlake North)#, #Taryn Wilson (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa)#, #Trisha Wendel (Chagrin Falls/Kenston)#, #Katherine Tedesco (Upper Arlington/Upper Arlington)# and bow #Alyse McNeill (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area)# began the championship with a strong performance in championship's second heat of the day. After trailing the field through the 500-meter mark, the Pioneers quickly moved into fifth by the midway point of the race and kept that placement through the line to finish with a time of 7:07.11.

"The women came off the water feeling they had their best, most solid race to date," Head Coach Kelly Harris said after the morning race. "I can't argue with them, as I felt they looked strong and aggressive throughout."

After a six-hour layoff, Marietta returned to the water with a chance to still qualify for Saturday's petite final. The Pioneers trailed again after the first 500 meters but this time couldn't overcome the slow start and crossed the line in sixth with a time of 7:31.05.

"It was a very tough afternoon of racing," Harris said. "Unfortunately, it didn't work in our favor, and we did not race as well as this morning's heat…Knocked out of the petite qualifier by faster crews in a strong headwind. However, the women are proud of ALL they have accomplished this season."