The 2006 Liberty League Champion Herons

April 29, 2006

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The William Smith crew team captured the Liberty League Rowing Championship on Fish Creek this afternoon. The Herons completed the regatta with 25 points, 12 more than runner up Skidmore.

"The team raced with complete teamwork in mind," Head Coach Sandra Chu said. "Every single athlete, in every single event, both on land and on the water. The strength of our team comes from that unity and we showed that today."

William Smith earned its second title in as many opportunities. The Herons won the inaugural championship in 2004 (2005's regatta was cancelled due to the weather).

The biggest race of the day is the varsity eight. The winner gets 12 points. William Smith earned a spot in the grand final with a second place finish in the day's opening heat. The Herons were less than two second behind Vassar.

In the grand final, Kenzie Cannon, Rebecca Gutwin, Frances Parsons, Hannah Gallup, Jessica Mahon, Cassie Priest, Nicole Balsamo, Edwina Wilson, and Kerry O'Neill covered the 2,000-meter course in 6:53.92, more than seven seconds ahead of the Brewers.

The second varsity race and its eight points to the victor, also belonged to William Smith. Julie Kozarsky, Lucinda Keck, Michelle Dodge, Anne Wakeman, Jessica Wojslaw, Jenn Kirst, Susan Tarrant, Alexandra Bowers, and Emily McGuire cruised to a comfortable win. The Herons crossed the finish line in 7:04.3, 18 seconds ahead of the runners up from St. Lawrence.

William Smith wrapped up the championship with a second place effort in the novice eight. Caitlin Holtz, Alex Haack, Hannah Zale, Alice Bellone, Christina Hibbard, Becky Goose, Emily Helstowski, Allison Glueck, and Katherine Faherty turned in a time of 7:46.47. Skidmore won the race in 7:29.77.

The Herons, who are ranked second in the NCAA New York Region, are back on the water May 6-7 in the New York State Championships in Whitney Point.

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