March 23, 2007

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith crew is well on its way to posting another successful season. The Herons return 20 veterans and welcome 13 rookies to the squad that earned its second Liberty League Championship and third Liberty League Crew of the Year honor last spring. Led by three-time Liberty League Coach of the Year Sandra Chu, William Smith is poised to make a run at a third title.

Senior Nicole Balsamo, juniors Hannah Gallup and Jessica Mahon, and sophomores Kenzie Cannon and Kerry O’Neill all return from the victorious varsity eight boat that placed first of seven in the league championship last April with a time of 6:53.92. Additionally, seniors Michelle Dodge, Kathryn Loddengaard, juniors Lucinda Keck, Julie Kozarsky, Christa Mulcahy, Jessica Wojslaw, and sophomores Alexandra Bowers, Becky Gosse, Christa Hibbard Emily Maguire, and Anne Wakeman all return to provide leadership to a strong Heron team.

William Smith’s varsity eight also took a second place finish in the New York State Championships last season, while the second varsity eight won the state title before going on to place fourth out of 18 teams at the ECAC Championships. Additionally, the Herons registered strong top-five showings at the Head of the Charles and the Head of the Fish regattas.

After solid races this fall and a vigorous March spring training session in Georgia—which included a victorious scrimmage against Ithaca—the Herons are ready to take the water at 11 a.m. on March 24, when they host Rensselaer.

The William Smith varsity eight begins the spring season ranked 10th in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/US Rowing preseason poll. The Herons are the top ranked Liberty League boat and trail only the Bombers.

The team’s ultimate destination is a trip to Oakridge, Tenn., the site of the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championships.

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