October 9, 2005

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The William Smith College crew team finished 4th out of 31 boats in the women’s collegiate eights division this afternoon at the Stonehurst Capital Invitational. The University of Western Ontario, which is the Canadian Olympic development team, took top honors with a time of 32:18.19 followed by Williams College (33:14.64). Overall, the first varsity eight finished 10th in the open division which included Division I teams Colgate, Radcliffe and Syracuse.

Powered by first-year coxswain Kenzie Cannon (Berkshire/Canaan, Conn.), senior stroke Rebecca Gutwin (Champlain Valley Union/Williston, Vt.), junior Lauren Brady (Westover School/Ridgefield, Conn.), senior Cassie Priest (King & Low-Heywood Thomas/Stamford, Conn.), junior Laura Batchelor (Brookline/Brookline, Mass.), sophomore Hannah Gallup (Holy Name/Alameda, Calif.), sophomore Jessica Mahon (Rhinebeck/Rhinebeck, N.Y.), Edwina Wilson (Churchhill/Westport, Conn.), and first-year bow Kerry O’Neil (Brighton/Rochester, N.Y.), the Herons finished with a time of 34:32.78.

William Smith was the third Division III boat to cross the line, coming in 54 seconds ahead of Liberty League foe St. Lawrence University and 1:13 ahead of Vassar College. During the afternoon sprint, the Herons finished just .13 seconds behind defending national champion Ithaca College.

The William Smith second varsity eight, which featured sophomore coxswain Julie Kozarsky (Shawnee/Medford, N.J.), sophomore stroke Jennifer Kirst (Principia/Darien, Conn.), senior Frances Parsons (Hoosac School/Liverpool, N.Y.), first-year Christa Hibbard (Fairport/Fairport, N.Y.), senior Susie Tarrant (Kimball Union Academy/Cleverdale, N.Y.), first-year Alex Haack (St. Mark’s School/Bryn Mawr, Pa.), sophomore Jessica Wojslaw (Norwalk/Norwalk, Conn.), first-year Alexandra Bowers (Tabor Academy/East Sandwich, Mass.), and junior bow Sarah Loomis (Milton Academy/Larchmont, N.Y.), turned in an 18th place performance with a time of 36:07.62. William Smith displayed its depth by defeating 13 other teams, including the second varsity eights of Syracuse and Colgate.

“Both boats showed incredibly mature racing,” Head Coach Sandra Chu said. “Their inward focus was the best they have ever had and contributed to their successful results today. As a team, we have been working on this part of our racing and it was very exciting to see them put so much excellence on the water”.

The Herons will be back in action on Oct. 23 when they travel to Boston for the Head of the Charles.

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