May 2, 2005

WHITNEY POINT, N.Y.—The William Smith oarswomen showed off the team’s depth on Saturday at the New York State Collegiate Rowing Championships in Whitney Point. Racing a two-day format in one day, the Herons brought home a bronze, a gold, a fourth place finish and a win in a petite final.

The William Smith novice four outraced five other boats to bring home a gold medal at the New York State Championships.

The varsity eight began the day by finishing second in their heat to Colgate to advance to the Grand Final. The Herons’ heat time of 7:25.3 was 5.4 seconds faster than RIT, who beat the Herons earlier in the season. The team of coxswain Mandy Lassell, Jessica Mahon, Laura Batchelor, Cassie Priest, Edwina Wilson, Courtney Cioffredi, Nicole Balsamo, Liz Staino, and Lauren Brady also outpaced Vassar, Army and the University of Rochester.

In the grand final, the Herons were bested by Marist, Ithaca, and Colgate, taking fourth with a time of 7:16.3, just over a second ahead of rival RIT.

“The varsity eight had an excellent heat,” Head Coach Sandra Chu said. “They rowed with a lot of confidence and poise. We went into the heat with the goal of finishing ahead of RIT and Vassar, which we accomplished. In the final we did not row as well but we were still able to shut the door on RIT, which was our main goal. We also qualified our eight to go to ECAC’s which was our primary goal.”

Earning a spot in the semifinals with a runner-up finish in its heat, the William Smith varsity four of cox Julie Kozarsky, Kat Loddengaard, Megan Hyland, Kacy Cerasoli, and Carrie Miller came in fourth behind Geneseo, Skidmore and RPI, putting them in the petite final.

In the petite final, the Herons dominated, outracing Ithaca by 10 seconds for the win with a time of 8:27.78. The victory also secured the Herons’ boat a spot in the ECAC Championships next weekend.
“Supported by their HWS teammates, [the varsity four] got in and got it done,” Chu said. "They showed their racing maturity and fitness as well—having had to race three races in one day. Qualification to ECAC’s was our focus this weekend and to have achieved that is tremendous.”

The second varsity eight continued its stellar season by earning bronze medal honors in their finals-only race. Coxswain Sunny Lord, Hannah Gallup, Susie Tarrant, Sarah Powell, Jessica Wojslaw, Lucinda Keck, Megan Seiter, Sarah Loomis, and Michelle Dodge crossed the line at 7:57.9, 3.8 seconds behind second-place finisher Colgate and 7.9 seconds behind winner Ithaca. They defeated Marist A, Marist B and Army by large, open-water margins, securing an invitation to ECAC’s as well.

“The second varsity eight continues to get better and better. I knew we were in for great things when they raced together for the first time three weeks ago. Now, this lineup is primed for great speed at ECAC’s.”

Looking to continue their unbeaten streak, the novice four won not only its heat, but also captured gold in the grand final. Crossing the line at 8:05.74, the boat comprised of coxswain Ted Williams, Jenn Kirst, Whitney Hayre, Cristina Mulcahy, and Cate Elgert defeated Army, Colgate, Union, Stony Brook and RIT to cap off the day of racing.

“It is extraordinarily difficult to complete an entire season without a loss,” said Chu. “The women in this boat bring a very unique experience to our team and I am very excited about their contributions in future years. They raced all-out this weekend and are a great testament to their own commitment.”

The Herons return to action on May 6 and 7 when they race at the ECAC Championship Regatta in Worcester, Mass.

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