Women's Rowing | 5/3/2009 9:10:00 PM
WHITNEY POINT, NY - The RIT women's crew team competed in the grand finals of the 19th Annual New York State Collegiate Rowing Championships held in Whitney Point, NY on Saturday and Sunday. Having advanced with solid performances in Saturday's opening heats, the Tigers showcased their speed by medaling in both the varsity four and novice eight Championship races. 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 women's team enjoyed particular success.
In Saturday's heats, the varsity four secured a lane in the grand final with a time of 7:55.14, finishing second behind Iona (7:50.35). In the final, the Tigers clocked in at 8:09.06 to win a silver medal, just 1.26 seconds behind event winner Iona. RIT's four featured 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). The Tigers were up for much of the race, excellently executing the boat's race plan. Iona put on a strong sprint to walk on RIT as they approached the finish; however, the Tigers regained connection as they crossed the line. NYU, Geneseo, Rochester and Army rounded out the six boat field.
The Tigers' second opportunity to medal came in the novice eight event. Following a win in the heats on Saturday where they beat out Rochester for first with a time of 7:21.56, the Tigers took to the water Sunday with their strongest start of the season. A tightly contested race between Ithaca, Rochester and RIT ensued. Powered by 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)#, the boat earned a bronze medal with a finish time of 7:27.13. Ithaca (7:23.08) came away with the win while Rochester edged the Tigers at the line by 0.47 seconds. Hamilton, William Smith and Union followed behind RIT.
Coach Fredyne Yust was very pleased with the boats' performances, noting, “Our goal at the start of the season was to medal at States. As the season progressed and we began to realize our true speed, it shifted to winning a gold medal, so placing second and third was a little disappointing for the women. But it doesn't overshadow the hard work they have put in and the great experiences we've had this season. We raced well today, and we have a lot to be proud of as a team as we head to Vails.”
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.
The Tigers close 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.
