ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's rowing team was back on the Cayuga Inlet for the Inlet Invite, to face off against University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and William Smith. The day featured variable wind conditions and temperatures with the sun coming out at the end of the day, just in time for the senior day celebrations. The Bombers celebrated eight members of the Senior Class for all their hard work and dedication throughout their four years on the team.
 
To start off racing the Ithaca 3V faced off against William Smith for a rematch from last week. The 3V of Kaelyn Morandi (cox), Ava Connor, Stella Kartsonas, Bryanna Mendoza Arias, Marie Nemeth, Katharine Sernick, Emmi Chen, Mya Veracka, and Naomi Bozenski fought hard against the Herons. They finished with a time of 7:41.3 with William Smith crossing with a time of 7:27.6.
 
Next up the 1V 8+ took to the course to race RIT. This race was a tight back and forth race down the whole inlet. The Bombers fought hard and were able to pull away in the second half and widen the gap further in the final sprint. Ithaca's lineup featured Payton Fisch (cox), Emma Thorne, Alexandra Catlin, Emmeline Robinson, Annoura Stewart, Samantha Gallagher, Kai Lincke, Julia DiCostanzo, and Hope Oliveira. The Bombers finished with a time of 7:08.0 and RIT with a time of 7:14.1.
 
The Ithaca 2V with Sarah Chraibi (cox), Kate March, Maisie Sagaas, Jasmina Vahle, Melanie Heim, Claire Edwards, Lauren Huber, Carys Owen, and Emily Murphy, also faced off against RIT first. The Bombers raced almost even with RIT for the first half, moving away the whole time. They moved ahead on the turn and kept growing the gap to open water in the sprint. They finished with a time of 7:26.24 with RIT finishing with a time of 7:35.17.
 
Ithaca's Novice Four lined up with University of Rochester. The Bomber's lineup consisted of Carly Hanlin (cox), Maeve Van Jura, Lucy Marcus, Julia Sweet, and Jamie Friedlander. They finished with a time of 9:35.0 to Rochester's 9:14.0.
 
After the break, the 1V lined back up this time against University of Rochester. This race was a fight down the whole course with both teams making moves to try to move ahead. The Bombers were able to make a move to regain seats at the 1k mark, and during the 3^rd 500 were able to surge ahead. It was a battle til the end with the boats finishing seconds apart. Ithaca putting down a time of 6:58.63 with Rochester having a time of 7:01.11.
 
The 2V also lined up against University of Rochester for their second round. Ithaca had a hard fought race, but Rochester was able to stay out in front. The Ithaca Bombers finished with a time of 7:29.9 and Rochester with a time of 7:21.3.
 
To round out the day the V4+ took the inlet for a three-boat race with University of Rochester and William Smith. The Bomber line up of Cameron Silberman (cox), Bryanna Mendoza Arias, Marie Nemeth, Mya Veracka, and Brandi Landis had a great race down the course. With lengths of open water already at the halfway point they continued to widen the gap through the finish. The Bombers won with a time of 8:01.20. William Smith finished next, then Rochester, with times of 8:34.64 and 8:58.56 respectively.
 
It was a great day for the Bombers, and the day continued on with a celebration for the members of the Senior Class. Seniors: Samantha Gallagher, Melanie Heim, Brandi Landis, Kai Lincke, Emily Murphy, Hope Oliveira, Emmeline Robinson, and Emma Thorne were honored. After speeches, photos, and flowers, the seniors from both the Men's and Women's teams joined each other on the dock for the annual senior jump into the inlet.
 
The Bombers' next race is in two weeks at the New York State Championships in Saratoga Springs on April 18.