RESULTS
WORCESTER, Mass. – The nationally-ranked Ithaca College women's crew team had one of its strongest days of the season on Sunday as the No. 5 Bombers qualified for five grand finals and had a pair of top-two finishes against some of the top crew teams in the country at the National Invitational Rowing Championships in Worcester, Mass. As a team, the Bombers earned 51 points, which was the fifth-highest total in the 21 team field.
The highlight of the day came when the Bombers' lightweight 4 boat opened up a large lead in its grand final en route to a first place finish and a championship after crossing the finish line nearly 10 seconds ahead of the field with a mark of 8:04.45. Williams (8:13.49) and Bates (8:25.12) rounded out the top three.Â
Monica Schaffstall,
Sara Muroski,
Jennifer Brashears,
Rachel Dowd and
Emily Campagna earned their way into the grand final after placing first in their respective heat with a time of 9:02.18.
"The lightweight 4 was actually racing in an open 4 event" said head coach
Becky Robinson. Â "They have had strong results all season and will be racing next weekend at the Dad Vails in the lightweight 4 event."
Ithaca had a strong showing in the novice 8 as well after both of its boats qualified for the grand final. The Bombers' A boat, which was crewed by
Maddie Trombley,
Savannah Brija,
Lindsey Caliga,
Abby Mellinger,
Alexa Puleio,
Olivia DeLaurenitis,
Rachel Smullen,
Ella Sarachan and
Greta O'Hara, finished second in the seven-boat field with a time of 7:29.72, which was just three seconds off the winning pace set by Wellesley. Ithaca's B boat took sixth place as
Tatiana Garvin,
Terah Roach,
Sophie Westfield,
Megan Campton,
Sierra Keat,
Marisa Lansing,
Meredyth Busam,
Heidi Mickunas and
Alisha Peralta completed the race in 8:13.03.
In the varsity 8, Ithaca qualified for the grand final by virtue of a second place finish in its respective heat.Â
Melinda Keene,
Jacqueline McDevitt,
Libby Burns,
Jennie Peterson,
Emily Morley,
Emily Vosburg,
Colby D'Onofrio,
Karina Feitner and
Krista Syracuse would better their time in the final by over four seconds to take fourth place overall with a time of 7:29.95. The top three finishers in the event make up the top three ranked crew teams in the nation as Williams finished first (7:19.18) followed by Bates (7:21.17) and Wesleyan (7:24.63).Â
"The varsity eight had a great result finishing fourth," added Robinson. Â "They put themselves in good position to qualify as an at large 8 for NCAAs. This week we will refocus on our goal of winning the Dad Vail Division III Race."
The Bombers second varsity 8 boat finished second in its heat with a time of 8:01.52 and would go on to take sixth in the grand final as
Catlynn Frank,
Megan Dicostanzo,
Rebecca Veninsky,
Katie Ely,
Chloe Lewis,
Erin McNaughton,
Tara Malone,
Madison Bess and
Victoria Demiris crossed the finish line in 7:51.01. Wellesley took first place in the event with a mark of 7:18.55. Bates and Williams rounded out the top three.
Ithaca's third varsity 8 boat placed third in its heat with a time of 8:39.10 before taking sixth place overall in the grand final with a time of 7:58.81.Â
Julia Williamson,
Katie Lawson,
Maeve Berry,
Kim Clement,
Carrine Putnam,
Bailey Doran,
Stephanie Lipari,
Sabina Goldfarb-Cartwright and
Kaitlin Aiello shaved nearly 40 seconds off their time between the two races. Williams set the tone with a winning time of 7:21.28.
The Bombers will find out whether they will receive one of two at-large bids into the 2016 NCAA Women's Crew Championship at 7 p.m. on Monday. To watch the selection show, please visit www.ncaa.com/liveschedule.
Ithaca will be back in action beginning on Friday when it competes at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, Pa.
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