Women's Rowing | 9/27/2015 5:14:00 PM

ITHACA, NY – Eight RIT oarswomen competed in Ithaca College's third annual Cayuga Sculling Sprints on Sunday. The event is to promote women's sculling and racing, affording the opportunity for experienced and new scullers to abandon their sweep oars for the day and take on the challenge and excitement of holding a scull in each hand.

Scullers from Ithaca College, Colgate University, Marist College and RIT raced in a 2,000-meter time trial in the morning and a 1,000-meter sprint in the afternoon. Weather conditions were a bit breezy with clouds and sun, with temperatures in the low 70's. The wind rippled the waters on the Cayuga Inlet throughout the day but racing remained competitive.

Racing categories included coxed quads, singles, and doubles. RIT scullers competed in four double sculls named "Eenie, Meenie, Minee, and Moe." The morning time trial placed the RIT doubles in fifth, eighth, ninth, and tweltfh positions respectively, out of a field of 16 boats. Based on these results RIT scullers were paired with opposing crews for the afternoon sprint.

Scullers in the Meenie, Sarah Foggett (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) and Brittany Dzugas-Smith (West Babylon, NY/Landmark) finished with RIT's fastest double combined time (the 2,000-meter time trial added to the 1,000-meter sprint) for a final result of 16:36.7, placing them seventh overall in the field. Foggett and Dzugas-Smith raced the Ithaca lightweight double in the 1000-meter sprint, winning in a time of 4:06.8.

Tiger scullers Arielle Weinstein (Athens, NY/Coxsackie-Athens) and Lindsey Schwartz (Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili) rowing in the Miney raced an Ithaca single sculler in the 1,000-meter sprint, finishing second in a time of 4:09.6. Their combined time placed them 12th overall. Scullers Laura Alderfer (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge ) and Chelsea Coates (Sanborn/Niagara Wheatfield) rowing in the Eenie raced an Ithaca single sculler, finishing first in a time of 4:21.5. Their combined time placed them 13th overall. Scullers Cassandra Killion (New Plymouth, ID/Nampa Christian) and Kali Elahi rowing in the Moe raced a Colgate single sculler, finishing second. Their combined time placed them 15th overall.

Women's varsity Coach Cassidy Goepel was thrilled about the day and commented, "Today, these RIT scullers continued a tradition in participating in the Cayuga Sprints for the second consecutive year. I am extremely proud of these oarswomen and how they raced today. The technique and racing skills they are learning in the sculls will definitely pay off down the road. I am seeing their confidence build every day. These scullers are becoming mentally tough and physically stronger. I can't wait for the spring because this experience will add to our speed."

RIT is back in action on Saturday at the Head of the Genesee Regatta just down the road from campus.