May 5 , 2007

WHITNEY POINT, N.Y.—The Hobart crew team's novice eight won a gold medal at the New York State Championships this afternoon. The Statesmen brought will bring home gold for the first time since the varsity four was triumphant in 2003.

"Coach Michael Hoepp has done a great job with the first-years and I look forward to how they will do at ECACs and to next years incoming class of rowers," Head Coach Mike Alton said.

In the novice eight final, Hobart pulled away from second-place Ithaca for a 7.3-second victory. Harrison Goldberg, Steven Valchuis, Carmen Cimini, Matthew Scanlon, Chris Jenco, William Bearse, Andrew Fosbrook, Francis Craig, and Richard Mable covered the 2,000-meter course in a winning time of 6 minutes, 21.4 seconds. Army was third followed by Marist, Binghamton, Albany, and Rensselaer.

The Statesmen advanced to Sunday's Grand Finals in two other events today. The varsity eight, looking for its first state title since 1996, earned a shot at a medal with a second-place showing in its heat. Hobart trailed Marist by 5.8 seconds, posting a time of 6:16.7.

The Statesmen varsity four also earned a berth in the Grand Final, winning its heat 6:49, the fastest time in either heat.

The varsity eight and varsity four will look to add to Hobart's medal count when racing resumes on Sunday morning.

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