May 31 , 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—On May 26, the Hobart crew team received a pair of bids to the 2005 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship. The Statesmen varsity 4+, and freshmen 4+ will compete against some of the best rowing schools in the nation on the Cooper River, in Camden, N.J., June 2-4.

The varsity four features three oarsmen and the coxswain from the 2003 IRA freshman four gold medalist boat: juniors Gavin Johnstone-Butcher (St. Paul's School (N.H.)/Bulowayo, Zimbabwe), Gardner Loring (Middlesex/Duxbury, Mass.), John Michael Chadonic (The Lawrenceville School/New York, N.Y.), and Dan Gilbert (Brighton/Rochester, N.Y.).

Senior captain Michael Hoepp (Choate Rosemary Hall/Bedford, N.H.) completes the lineup of Hobart's top four. He stroked the Hobart eight that won gold at the Head of the Charles in 2002 and was a member of the varsity eight that finished second at the 2003 ECAC Championships. This year, Hoepp stroked the varsity eight that won bronze at the 2005 New York State Championships.

Sporting the same lineup, the varsity four are focused on improving on 2004's fifth place finish (out of 24) at the IRA Championships.

"This year's IRA preparation has been progressing well," Head Coach Mike Guerrieri said. "Both the varsity four and freshmen four have been finding speed. This past weekend they looked very competitive in a scrimmage against rowing powerhouse Cornell, which has similar boats entered at the IRA.”

Hobart also will send its freshmen four to the regatta. The boat includes the top four rowers and coxswain from the freshmen eight that captured a bronze medal at this year’s New York State Championships. Alex Tye (Kent School/New Canaan, Conn.), Trippe Duke (Brooks School/Providence, R.I.), Richard Klein (Staples/Westport, Conn.), Drew Meunier (Shenendehowa/Clifton Park, N.Y.), and coxswain James Spalt (Tabor Academy/Barnstable, Mass.) will make their first IRA appearance for the Statesmen.

The freshmen four are gaining momentum heading into the IRA Championships.

“This year’s freshmen four has been intent on improving the way they row together," Guerrieri said. "Their hard work is beginning to pay off and they're having solid practices and are looking stronger every day.”

The trial heats for the varsity four begin at 10:12 a.m. on June 2. For a complete schedule and results throughout the competition, visit www.row2k.com.

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