April 3, 2004

ITHACA, N.Y.—The William Smith College crew team opened its 2004 season this afternoon at Ithaca College. The Herons were unable to outrace the Bombers, but grabbed victories over both Pacific Lutheran and Hamilton College.

“Racing was much tighter this season than last,” said Head Coach Sandra Chu. “While we didn’t race to our potential in the Varsity Eight, I am very encouraged by our margin against Ithaca and the room we have for improvement. We have some great aggressiveness that just didn’t come out today.”

The top varsity eight boat, comprised of Jess Hardy (Shrewsbury, Mass.), Libby Weick (Fairport, N.Y.), Edwina Wilson (Bethesda, Md.), Rebecca Gutwin (Williston, Vt.), Julie Deprez (Paxton, Mass.), Cassie Priest (Stamford, Conn.), Lauren Ulvestad (Shorewood, Minn.), Frances Parsons (Liverpool, N.Y.), Lisa White (Portland, Maine), captured the runner-up spot in the three-boat race. Turning in a time of 7:11.0, the 12th-ranked Herons were just four seconds behind the fourth-ranked Bombers, while easily beating the Lutes by 21 seconds.

In the second varsity eight race, Amanda Jantzi (Tonawanda, N.Y.), Sarah Powell, Susie Tarrant (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), Susan Hendrickson (Wrj, Vt.), Laura Batchelor (Brookline, Mass.), Liz Staino (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), Nicole Balsamo (Centerville, Mass.), Michelle Dodge (Jackson, N.H.), Colleen Franz (Derby, N.Y.), guided William Smith to another second place finish with a time of 7:34.0.

The best race of the afternoon came from the Herons Novice Eight boat of Jen Singer (Duncansville, Pa.), Liz Orofino (Mill Valley, Calif.), Lauren Brady (Ridgefield, Conn.), Kat Loddengaard (Hampton Bays, N.Y.), Rebecca Racine (Leicester, Vt.), Kacy Cerasoli (Quincy, Mass.), Carrie Miller (Belmont, Mass.), Lindsey Sprague (Marcellus, N.Y.), and Allie Clark (Vineyard Haven, Mass.). The group turned in a great effort, falling to Ithaca by just one second with a finishing time of 7:45.0.

“Assistant Coach Katie Gill continues to do a great job with this side of our program. These true walk-ons showed tremendous fight as they lost by a second to Ithaca,” said Chu. “They have gained so much speed since spring break and I am excited to see them continue to get faster.”

The second Novice Eight boat of Kat Dorward (Trumansburg, N.Y.), Sarah Loomis (Larchmont, N.Y.), Ellen Witoff (Clarence, N.Y.), Krissy Quinn (Belmont, Mass.), Allison McCartney (Niskayuna, N.Y.), Ashley Archibald, Krystn Lake (Brockton, Mass.), Emma Brackett , Liz Cost (Syracuse, N.Y.) completed the course in 8:55.0 in a two-boat race with Ithaca.

The lightweight four closed out the day of racing with a third place finish, crossing the line in 9:06.6. Chequira Christie (Queens, N.Y.), Frances Parsons (Liverpool, N.Y.), Staino , Loomis, and Sprague competed for the Herons in that race.

William Smith hits the water again, hosting RIT at the Hellstrom Boathouse on April 10.

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