PENNSAUKEN, N.J.—The University of Dayton had two boats make the Grand Final at the 2015 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Saturday at Cooper River Park. 

The V4+ of Meghan Garriott (coxswain), Amanda Matney, Kristen Hackel, Meghan Sullivan-Casey and Danielle Foust took sixth place in a time of 8:36.88.

The championship came down to a thrilling final race, the Varsity 8.  Dayton's V8+ finished in fourth place in 7:00.32, just five seconds behind Duquesne and seven seconds behind Rhode Island.  Massachusetts, Rhode Island (who finished second overall) and Saint Joseph's (third place) were all within three points before the race, setting up a Varsity 8 that would decide the title. UMass won the deciding race with a time of 6:50.23, with Rhody just three seconds behind at 6:53.27.

UD's V8+ was made up of Madison Doty (coxswain), Allison Martie, Kaleigh Barkaszi, Allie Rogers, Emma Tokar, Mary Willard, Erin Mohney, Kayla Contardi and Rosie Perez.

The Minutewomen successfully defended their title, winning their second straight A-10 crown and their 15th overall. UMass, which scored 53 points to claim the title, also earned the Atlantic 10's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Rowing Championship, which will be held May 29-31 in Gold River, Calif., at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.

Rhode Island finished with 47 points, winning the Varsity 4 at 7:31. SJU finished third overall with 38 points. Duquesne was fourth with 34 points and Dayton and George Mason tied for fifth with 26 points.

Dayton's 2V8+of Patricia Santoni (coxswain), Breezy Hollandsworth, Bree Richards, Grace Hagan, Rebecca McDonald, Rachel Hock, Chloe Hollinden, Alex Anain, and Sarah Byrd, finished second in the Petite Final.

Following the conclusion of the 2015 Rowing Championship at Cooper River Park, the Atlantic10 honored 21 student-athletes as All-Conference. Massachusetts head coach Jim Dietz was voted Coach of the Year.

The All-Conference teams, which are listed below, are based on nominations from each coach and team finish in the championship. There were 11 student-athletes selected for the All-Conference First Team and 10 on the Second Team. A tie for fifth place in the standings added an additional second team honoree.

First Team All-Conference
Allie Rogers, Junior, Dayton
Courtney Purslow, Senior, Duquesne
Kim Griffin, Senior, George Mason
Amanda Young, Senior, George Washington
Heather Pekarovich, Senior, Massachusetts
Lauren St. Pierre, Senior, Massachusetts
Marika Kopp, Senior, Massachusetts
Hannah Milam, Senior, Rhode Island
Kate Capistran, Senior, Rhode Island
Brittany Stokes, Junior, Saint Joseph's
Amanda McEvoy, Senior, Saint Joseph's
 
Second Team All-Conference
Mary Willard, Senior, Dayton
Hannah Mazur, Senior, Duquesne
Julia Borsari, Senior, Duquesne
Ashley Hawkesworth, Junior, Fordham
Chandler Bishop, Senior, George Mason
Katie Reyes, Junior, La Salle
Aiste Balciunaite, Freshman, Massachusetts
Chloe Beach, Senior, Rhode Island
Lily Herberger, Junior, Rhode Island
Taylor Biesiada, Senior, Saint Joseph's