Few teams at UB have enjoyed the success that the women's crew team is currently having. The team gained experience and confidence this past weekend when they took to water to compete at the 40th annual Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.
UB brought two entries to the regatta; most notably the Collegiate Eight team which crossed the finish line in fourth place. The fourth place finish gave UB its first ever medal at this highly prestigious event.
With a field of over 50 boats, the UB Collegiate Eight squad posted an adjusted time of 13:17.745, which was enough to give them a top five finish, worthy of a medal. The regatta featured some of the top teams in the nation, as well as several high profile Canadian teams and a conglomerate Dutch team that took top honors.
UB's Collegiate Eight lineup was the same as it has been all year. The UB team was led by freshman Sher Briggs in the coxswain seat, and consisted of Sandra Kisil, Kali Spoto, Corrine Blum, Kasey Hansen, Michelle Schwach, Deanna Knighton, Tara Celestini, and Natalie Pugliese.
The UB team had more to battle than just the competition, as heavy winds bombarded the competitors as they rounded each turn throughout the race.
"They shortened the race to 2.3 miles because of the weather," said UB head coach Rudy Wieler. "The river has a lot of bends and around each turn the wind direction was changing."
Finishing just seconds ahead of the Bulls was a tough West Virginia team that UB beat in a previous regatta this season. However, UB defeated several strong squads including teams from Villanova University, Army, Coast Guard, San Diego State, St. Lawrence and rival Ithaca College.
"They shortened the course which makes it an entirely different race," said UB rower Michelle Schwach. "I'm really pleased with how we did, we had a good race."
UB's other entry into the regatta was the Youth Eight team, a team that has been making strides at becoming better all season. The Youth Eight squad rowed to a 14th place finish, also in a field of over fifty teams.
"What was really great about that race was we beat some teams that have beaten us previously this year," said Wieler. "We have five seniors on the Varsity Eight boat that will be graduating this year, and we wanted to take the freshman team out to give them some experience so they can maybe step up and take some of those spots next year."
The UB women will be in action again Saturday in Saratoga for the Head of the Fish Regatta, where the blue and white will have several squads competing. The event figures to be very competitive and the Bulls should have strong showings from each squad.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
