WHITNEY POINT, NY - The RIT men’s crew team raced in the grand finals of the 19th Annual New York State Collegiate Rowing Championships held in Whitney Point, NY on Sunday. Following strong performances in Saturday’s heats to advance to the grand finals Sunday, the novice eight won a bronze medal and both varsity boats put together solid races in their finals. All five RIT entries, three men’s boats and two women’s, advanced to the grand final for the first time in program history.
The Tigers’ varsity eight earned a grand final lane, finishing third in Saturday’s heat with a time of 6:12.23 behind Ithaca (6:08.03) and Iona (6:10.64). Powered by coxswain
Dan Knorr, stroke
Cameron Staunch, seven seat
Kevin Macksamie, six seat André Jarreau, five seat
Justin Dixon, four seat
Drew Lawlor, three seat
Brett Fritzsch, two seat
Spencer Trafton and bow
Chris Guerra, RIT finished fifth in the grand final Sunday morning. The Tigers clocked in at 6:20.70, with Ithaca (6:09.64) claiming first. Marist and Hobart finished second and third, respectively, and Iona and Army rounded out the six boat field.
In the varsity four heat, coxswain
Alyssa Mulholland, stroke
Bryan Abbott, three seat
Stu Burgess, two seat
Jason Gallant and bow
Bryce Salmi locked in a spot in the grand final, posting a second place finish time of 7:11.82. In the final the Tigers finished sixth, crossing the line in 7:20.31. Colgate won in a time of 7:02.30.
RIT’s novices made big strides as the season progressed and turned in a strong showing in the novice eight heats with a time of 6:29.82 to advance to the grand final. The Tigers’ line-up featured coxswain
Cole Bowden, stroke
Matthew Hesselink, seven seat
Evan Martin, six seat
Evan Moreshead, five seat Mark Menzenksi, four seat
John Pagano, three seat
Ben Kaiser, two seat
Anthony Castaneda and bow Mike Kitson. RIT won a bronze medal in the final, posting a time of 6:30.18 behind St. Lawrence (6:26.60) and Marist (6:26.93). Ithaca, Army and Hobart completed the field.
The Tigers dedicated their performances this weekend to Mr. Thomas Gosnell, RIT Trustee and a great friend of the program, who passed away earlier in the week. Mr. Gosnell was a major force in working with former RIT president Al Simone and fellow trustee and colleague, Joe Briggs, in establishing the club crew program as a varsity sport. His generous support endowed the program and built the soon to be dedicated Gosnell Boathouse. The men’s team wore wristbands racing this weekend honoring Mr. Gosnell’s memory. Three shells donated by the Gosnell family raced this weekend: the Arthur J. by the women’s varsity four; the Avis by the men’s varsity four; and the J. Craig by the men’s varsity eight. Mr. Gosnell’s love of the water and generous spirit will live on as past, present and future members of the RIT Crew family have the opportunity to benefit from their involvement in the program.
RIT closes out the season at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, Pa. next weekend. Heats will be on Friday, May 8th and the finals on Saturday, May 9th.