October 24, 2005

BOSTON—The William Smith varsity eight improved eight places from last year with a sixth place finish out of 46 boats in the collegiate eights event while the varsity four finished fifth out of 18 boats in the inaugural collegiate fours event this past weekend at the Head of the Charles. Despite windy and cold conditions, the Heron varsity eight crossed the finish line with a time of 18:44.53, while the varsity four posted a time of 20:12.59.

William Smith's varsity eight passes under Eliot Bridge. (Photo by Sandra Chu)

Powered by first-year coxswain Kenzie Cannon (Berkshire/Canaan, Conn.), senior Cassie Priest (King & Low-Heywood Thomas/Stamford, Conn.), junior Lauren Brady (Westover School/Ridgefield, Conn.), senior Rebecca Gutwin (Champlain Valley Union/Williston, Vt.), junior Laura Batchelor (Brookline/Brookline, Mass.), sophomore Hannah Gallup (Holy Names/Alameda, Calif.), sophomore Jessica Mahon (Rhinebeck/Rhinebeck, N.Y.), senior Edwina Wilson (Churchhill/Westport, Conn.), and first-year Kerry O’Neil (Brighton/Rochester, N.Y.), the Herons were the third Division III boat across the line. The first Liberty League boat to punch the clock, they defeated conference rivals Vassar, Skidmore, Union, and St. Lawrence. The Herons also defeated Tufts, Smith, and Coast Guard, all of whom appeared in the 2005 NCAA Championship.

Cannon was the catalyst for the boat’s success, laying down a perfect course in the most difficult race in the nation. She set the stage which allowed her teammates to make repeated attacks down the river.

“This is the best race execution I’ve ever seen from the team,” Head Coach Sandra Chu said. “From the moment the eight arrived in Boston, I knew they were going to deliver something special. Their confidence on the course was tremendous and they’ve built some terrific momentum.”

Sophomore coxswain Julie Kozarsky (Shawnee/Medford, N.J.), sophomore Jennifer Kirst (Principia/Darien, Conn.), senior Frances Parsons (Hoosac School/Liverpool, N.Y.), first-year Christa Hibbard (Fairport/Fairport, N.Y.), and senior Susie Tarrant (Kimball Union Academy/Cleverdale, N.Y.) also primed the pump for the team. Racing on Saturday, the Heron varsity four finished 28 seconds behind Florida Tech, securing a berth in next year’s race.

“The varsity four came to Boston to leave a legacy,” Chu said. “This is our first appearance with two boats and the four wanted to show how deep we are as a team. Only one of the athletes in the boat has ever rowed at the Charles before, so their result shows off their focus and composure as well as athletic maturity. Their performance was as polished as that of seasoned Charles rowers.”

The Herons will be back in action on Oct. 29 as they travel to the Head of the Fish, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

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