March 26, 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.--The William Smith College crew team opened the 2005 season in winning fashion, sweeping all three of its races against the University of Rochester and Rensselaer on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Early morning ice and fog delayed the races for almost an hour, but once the course was cleared, the Herons ruled the day.

"This was a great home opener for us," Head Coach Sandra Chu said. "We were able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our race plan and test our line-ups for speed. Earlier in the week, on a flatter course with less head current, we posted slower times, so I am excited to see the team step up to the challenges of race day.”

Ranked fifth in the USRowing/CRCA Preseason poll, the William Smith varsity eight comprised of sophomore coxswain Mandy Lassell, junior Cassie Priest, sophomore Laura Batchelor, first-year Jessica Mahon, sophomores Nicole Balsamo, Liz Staino, and Lauren Brady, senior Sarah Powell, and junior bow Edwina Wilson used a strategic third 500 meters to lengthen its already commanding lead over the field, crossing the line at 7:04.9, eight seconds ahead of second-place Rochester.

The second varsity eight, however, posted the most impressive margin of the day. The team of first-year coxswain Sunny Lord, first-year Hannah Gallup, junior Susan Tarrant, sophomore Kacy Cerasoli, first-year Megan Hyland, sophomores Kat Loddengaard, Carrie Miller, Sarah Loomis, and bow Michelle Dodge covered the course in 7:25.9, crossing the line 23.9 seconds ahead of Rochester and 52.6 seconds ahead of RPI.

The novice eight of coxswain Julie Kozarsky, Lucinda Keck, Jess Wojslaw, Courtney Ciofredi, Megan Seiter, Jen Kirst, Jenn Lever, Cate Elgert and bow Whitney Hayre also turned in a solid season opening performance, holding their composure after two collisions to win the shortened 1600-meter race with a time of 5:54.0. University of Rochester crossed the line next in 6:06.0.

“I was impressed by the novice eight’s debut,” Chu said. “They showed good composure during their race and I am looking forward to the continued development of their aggressiveness."


The Herons return to action on April 2, when they host Ithaca and Marist.

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