Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's rowing team opens its 2009-10 season Saturday, Oct. 3, by taking part in the 23rd Annual Head of the Ohio Regatta in downtown Pittsburgh.

It marks the firsts of two meets in the month of October for the Colonials, as for the first time in school history RMU will host its first home meet, hosting Duquesne Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 a.m. on the Ohio River at Neville Island, adjacent to its home dock at the RMU Island Sports Center.

The Head of the Ohio lasts all day and is one of Pittsburgh's premier outdoor events. One of the largest single-day regattas in the United States, the Head of the Ohio attracts rowers of all skill levels from all over the country, including 75 colleges and universities. It is hosted by Three Rivers Rowing Association.

The Robert Morris team is seeded second in the Women's Open 4+ Division behind West Virginia University. The Colonials are coming off a third-place, bronze-medal effort in the category at the 2008 Head of the Ohio.

The 2009-10 is a veteran group, led by junior stroke Nicole Spellman (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny), junior three-seat and Nicole's twin sister, Dana Spellman (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny), junior two-seat Amber Noorlag (Beaver, Pa. / Beaver County Christian), junior bow Janessa Ganter (Valencia, Pa. / Mars Area) and senior coxswain Heidi Young (Guys Mills, Pa. / Maplewood).

Robert Morris hits the starting line for this race on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. For more information on the 2009 Head of the Ohio Regatta, visit www.headoftheohio.org.