October 10, 2004

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--The William Smith varsity eight medaled at the Stonehurst Regatta, placing third in the collegiate eights division and sixth overall. With an overall time of 35:03.11, the Herons were 26 seconds behind first place, Ithaca. William Smith was the second Division III boat to cross the line, beating Williams, RIT, St. Lawrence, and Hamilton.

The first varsity eight was powered by coxswain Sunny Lord, stroke Rebecca Gutwin, Laura Batchelor, Cassie Priest, Lauren Brady, Jessica Mahon, Nicole Balsamo, Lisa White, and bow Frances Parsons.

“Today was a great day for the Herons,” Head Coach Sandra Chu said. “Not only did each boat exceed the goals we set, but this is also the first time in the program’s history that we have fielded two eights and a four at this event. This is also the highest finish a William Smith eight has achieved and bodes well for the remainder of fall racing.”

The William Smith varsity eight finished third in the collegiate division (6th overall) in the Stonehurst Regatta.

In the same race, the second varsity eight placed 14th in the collegiate division, besting last year’s finish by five places. The varsity four placed 14th.

The second varsity eight was powered by coxswain Mandy Lassell, stroke Sarah Powell, Hannah Gallup, Kacy Cerasoli, Susie Tarrant, Kat Loddengaard, Carrie Miller, Liz Staino, and bow Michelle Dodge. The varsity four included coxswain Courtney Wilson, stroke Sarah Loomis, Megan Hyland, Jenna Soltes, and bow Krystn Lake.

“All three boats had very solid races here.” Chu said. “I was particularly impressed at the way the athletes were able to switch mental and physical strategies between the morning and afternoon races. There was renewed aggression in the afternoon which helped the 1V beat Williams, whom they had lost to in the morning.”

The Stonehurst format is unique among fall racing. Teams row a 5K head-style race in the morning, sent off from the line in 10-second intervals. In the afternoon, they race in pairs, pitted against a crew which had a finishing time close to theirs, down a 1500 meter course. The afternoon times are tripled and added to the morning times. The winning team is the one that covers both courses in the shortest amount of time.

The Herons next race is the Wylie Chase on Oct. 16, also in Rochester.

Back to William Smith Crew