SARATOGA, N.Y. – Canisius rowing had three of its boats advance to the finals of the New York State Collegiate Championships in Saratoga, N.Y. on Saturday. While none of the three won the overall title, all three posted strong times, while the varsity eight finished ahead of MAAC foe, Marist.
"It was a perfect day for racing," head coach Joel Furtek said. "As we expected, the competition was fierce and our eights found themselves locked in very tight races. This is just what we wanted."
In the preliminary round, the varsity eight of Kira Voyer, Shannon Pritzker, Nora Kennon, Kathryn Hobika, Brooke Stanley, Molly Murphy, Sydney Bichsel and Hannah Blum took second in the first heat with a time of 6:54.45, about three seconds behind Ithaca (6:50.90).
"Our varsity eight came up short of silver by 1.25 seconds and bronze by .4 - incredibly tight margins and a result that will drive us forward," Furtek said. "Importantly, we edged Marist in a head to head race and should be the No. 1 seed in the varsity eight for MAACs."
The second varsity eight of Bridget Lillis, Chanel Davis, Audrey Rieman, Michelle Turner, Mackenzie App, Patricia Beaulieu, Corrine Kickel, Erin Grimm and Jordan Bamrick posted a top time in heat No. 1 of the second varsity eight, as the squad finished with a time of 7:11.60. The boat defeated Ithaca, RIT, Union and Vassar.
"Our second varsity eight was the class of the field in the heats," Furtek said. "but didn't bring the same performance to the finals. To their credit, they know just where to go."
In the varsity four the Blue and Gold had two boats competing, with the B team of Jenni Vinci, Tiffany Velado, Amber Giambone, Alexandra Glick and Grace Horner, competing in heat No. 1 and clocking in with a time of 8:21.90. Meanwhile the first varsity four, of Melissa Frank, Julianna Sciandra, Geovaira Hernandez, Liz DelBarba, and Kaitlyn Taylor took second in the second heat with a time of 8:04.96.
"Our varsity fours struggled today," Furtek said "we will redouble our efforts there and be ready to go come conference championship time."
In the final rounds, the Canisius second varsity eight took third overall, just a few seconds behind second-place Ithaca, coming in with a time of 7:25.34. Meanwhile the varsity eight placed fourth with a time of 6:56.78. Ithaca took first overall in the race with a time of 6:49.20.
"My hat goes off to a very strong Ithaca crew who came ready for their championship," Furtek said. "Marist excelled in their second varsity eight and varsity, so we find ourselves essentially tied as teams. It's going to be a barn burner in two weeks."
The Blue and Gold varsity four, didn't fair as well as the varsity eight and second varsity eight, placing sixth in the final round, with a time of 8:48.83. MAAC opponent Marist, placed the varsity four as its only boat in the finals and bested the Griffs by one spot, with a time of 8:31.64.
"I'm extremely proud of our senior leadership," Furtek said. "In particular, Nora Kennon, Corrine Kickel, and Julie Sciandra are stepping up and bending the oars to move out varsity eights and varsity four. When I add that to how quickly our young rowers are learning to race, I'm excited for the MAAC Championships!"
The Griffs prepration now turns to the grandest prize in the conference, with the MAAC championship, as the only regatta left on the 2016 schedule. The conference championship takes place on May 15 in West Windsor, N.J.
