ITHACA, New York — The Marietta College men's rowing team raced against Ithaca, Colgate and Hamilton on the Cayuga Inlet Saturday (April 30) afternoon. The Pioneers raced three eights winning the second and third varsity eights and placing second in the varsity eight grand final.
"I am extremely proud of our performance today. Each boat put together a strong race," Marietta head coach
Greg Myhr said. "Everyone handled their dose of adversity as well as to be expected at this point in the season culminating in a truly great team effort."
The second varsity eights were first on the water. After a turbulent start, the Pioneers got through Hamilton and pulled level with Ithaca by the 750-meter mark. Marietta opened a boat length of open water by the 1,500-meter mark and went to win by nine-plus seconds.
Marietta posted a winning time of 6:35.3 with Ithaca (6:44.5) second and Hamilton (6:57.5) third.
"The second varsity found their groove this week and were able to put together a really nice race against some strong crews," Myhr said.
Next up was the varsity eights. Marietta downed Hamilton in the first dual but fell to Colgate in the grand final. Against Hamilton, the Pioneers crossed the line in 6:37.4, with Hamilton finishing in 6:42.4. Colgate posted a winning time of 6:28.4 in the final with Marietta finishing in 6:31.8.
The Pioneers got off to a phenomenal start against Hamilton and had a half-length lead by 250 meters and open water by the midway mark of the race.
In the final, Marietta jumped out to a quick start and had a deck length lead on Colgate. The Raiders were able to claw back into the race and drew level by the 750-meter mark and gradually increased the lead to a boat length at the finish line.
"The varsity had two great races down the inlet this weekend," Myhr said. "Colgate and Hamilton are both strong crews and it was good to see the boys put strong performances out there."
In the third varsity eight race, the Pioneers were down off the start but kept their composure as Ithaca held the lead through the first 500-meters. Marietta pulled level and actually inched a few seats ahead by 650-meters and continued to pull away over the second half of the course.
Marietta won the race in 6:52.9 with Ithaca (7:10.9) second and Hamilton (7:35.3) third.
"The guys were really excited to have the opportunity to race the third eight," Myhr said. "We do not usually have the resources to practice in this line up, let alone race it. Today's performance speaks volumes of the oarsman we have in our program."
Marietta is back on the water at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Friday and Saturday (May 13-14).
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
Results
Varsity 8+ Dual
1. Marietta (6:37.4), 2. Hamilton (6:42.4)
Varsity 8+ Grand Final
1. Colgate (6:28.4), 2. Marietta (6:31.8)
Coxswain:
Duncan Fraser (Cleveland, Ohio/Saint Ignatius), Stroke:
William Hoffman (Brigantine, N.J./Holy Spirit), 7:
Joseph Madrid (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South), 6:
George Riffle (San Diego, Calif./Point Loma), 5:
Drayton Piper (Roswell, Ga./Roswell), 4:
John Saunders (Buffalo, N.Y./Olmsted), 3:
Dylan Dalpedri (Spring, Texas/The Woodlands), 2:
Kade Hennacy (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), Bow:
Tyler Heldt (Tampa, Fla./Steinbrenner)
Second Varsity 8+
1. Marietta (6:35.3), 2. Ithaca (6:44.5), 3. Hamilton (6:57.5)
Coxswain:
Lara Coghlan (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville), Stroke:
Gregorio Puntarelli (Houston, Texas/Memorial), 7:
Jonathan McWhite (Bellingham, Mass./Bromfield), 6:
Matthew Rought (Mason, Ohio/Mason), 5:
Liam Sherman (Chicago, Ill.), 4:
Brett McGettigan (Ventnor City, N.J./Holy Spirit), 3:
Adam Sarhan (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J.), 2:
Anthony Calandra (Nokomis, Fla.), Bow:
Edmund Lynch (Marietta, Ga./Walton)
Third Varsity 8+
1. Marietta (6:52.9), 2. Ithaca (7:10.9), 3. Hamilton (7:35.3)
Coxswain:
Natalia Facchinato-Sitja (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson), Stroke: Calandra, 7: Sherman, 6: Rought, 5: Sarhan, 4:
Christian Schulitz (Pittsford, N.Y.), 3:
Evan Saribalas (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), 2:
Brian Bonifas (Rocky River, Ohio), Bow:
Colby Pasour (Lincolnton, N.C./Highland)
