May 5 , 2007

WHITNEY POINT, N.Y.—Two of the William Smith crew team's three entries in the New York State Rowing Championships earned a spot in Sunday's Grand Finals today. The Heron varsity eight and novice eight advanced to Sunday's championship events.

“We're very pleased with the results from the 1V and 1N races," Head Coach Sandra Chu said. "The 1V went out to race calmly, confidently but also fiercely—which they did. We were able to shut our race plan down and use the second half of the race to do some mental preparation for tomorrow.

"Tomorrow’s final should enable them to show off their true speed and help us to prepare for ECACs next weekend."

Ranked second in the nation, the varsity eight won the day's opening race with the fastest time of any of the 10 entries, covering the 2,000-meter course in 7 minutes, 9.1 seconds. Army was second in the heat followed by Vassar, Rensselaer, and Albany.

The William Smith novice eight battled the elements and a tough field to win its heat in 7:29.6. Ithaca finished second, three seconds behind the Herons.

"The novices faced horrific water conditions in their race. They held their composure and were able to come back from an early season loss against Ithaca which was a testament to the daily improvements they have been making at home."

The weather conditions continued to deteriorate after that, forcing the postponement of seven races until Sunday.

Since 2000, William Smith has won four New York State Championships, capturing the 2000 varsity eight, the 2001 and 2006 second varsity eight, and the 2005 novice four.

William Smith's third entry, the second varsity eight, was second in a two-boat race with Ithaca. The Bombers took the finals only race in 7:01.4, with the Herons 27.5 seconds back.

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