Women's Rowing | 4/12/2009 11:49:00 AM

WEST POINT, NY - The RIT women's crew team travelled to West Point this weekend and competed in the President's Cup Regatta, hosted by Army. It is the first time in program history the Tigers have raced at West Point. With the picturesque backdrop of the West Point campus, racing into a strong headwind made the Hudson River course challenging for all crews.

The Tigers' Novice 8 overpowered Army and Marist, finishing first on the 2-kilometer course in a time of 8:41.2. RIT's line-up of coxswain #Eileen Kobal (Erie, PA/Fairview)#, stroke #Ariel Leitao (Newton, MA/Tabor Academy)#, seven seat #Erin Mooney (Dayton, OH/Oakwood)#, six seat #Erica Gantz (Rosendale, NY/Rondout Valley)#, five seat #Kristina Lozar (Brooklyn, NY/Adelphi Academy)#, four seat #Allison Doster (Syracuse, NY/LaFayette)#, three seat #Anne Wapshare (Blasdell, NY/Immaculata Academy)#, two seat #Emily Burns (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) and bow (Westfield, MA/Westfield)Samantha Whalen (Westfield, MA/Westfield)# rowed a relaxed race in the rough conditions. Army (9:04.5) finished second behind the Tigers, and Marist (9:20.4) third. First year stroke Ariel Leitao (Newton, MA/Tabor Academy) had this to say of the boat's performance: “It was a tough day of racing with the conditions, but we're a tenacious crew and ultimately powered through.”

Unfortunately, the conditions on the course deteriorated throughout the morning as the swells increased. The Varsity 4 launched, but was called back to the dock when officials made the decision to cancel the remaining races due to the unrowable conditions.

Following racing, the crew ate lunch on base at the mess hall, accompanied by Army rowers and other West Point cadets. It was an opportunity for the Tigers to experience the tradition of West Point. The welcoming atmosphere of the President's Cup Regatta made it a day to be long remembered by both student-athletes and coaches.

RIT races next weekend in Worchester, Mass. against WPI, William Smith, Tufts and RPI.