Women's Rowing | 4/20/2009 2:59:00 PM

WORCESTER, MA - The RIT women's crew competed this weekend under blue skis and sun against Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Tufts University and William Smith College. Lake Quinsigamond's 2,000 meter course had a 10 miles-per hour. tailwind that developed a slight chop in the second 1,000 meters.

The varsity four of coxswain #Hannah Westall (Williamstown, NY/Mt. Greylock)#, stroke Alli LaChance (Pompey, NY/Fabius-Pompey), three seat #Ashley Pastor (Poughkeepsie, NY/F.D. Roosevelt)#, two seat Deb Howell (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) and bow Alex King (Wilmington, DE/St. Elizabeth) had a tight race in the three boat field. RIT posted a winning time of 7:48.4. The close proximity of WPI (7:52.02) made for a spirited competition. The Tigers were patient off the line, as they and the host Engineers settled into a pace that kept the boats tight, with RIT slightly up, for the duration of the race. RIT moved on WPI initially in the sprint, and held on for the solid win. William Smith finished third.

The novice eight rounded out the successful day for the Tigers, finishing first in of four boats and crossing the line in 7:14.1, 13.35 seconds ahead of the Engineers. After a quick start, the boat pulled together to dominate, opening water on WPI, Tufts and William Smith by the 1,000 meter mark. 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)# had an excellent race anchored by powerful strokes. Tufts and William Smith rounded out the field.

The Tigers return to the water on Saturday, April 25, travelling to Hamilton College.