Crew dominates at Head of the Ohio

The fall rowing season started off with a one-two finish in the varsity eight, the best showing the UB rowing team has ever had at the Head of the Ohio Regatta.

The fact that the wins came against their two main rivals, West Virginia and Villanova, who defeated the Bulls last year, made the sweep that much sweeter.

"The team is working really hard, training 18 hours a week, six days a week," said head coach Rudy Wieler. "This result really shows that."

In addition to the win in the varsity eight race, the Bulls also had two other victories at the regatta. The lightweight four and novice eight won both of their races.

In the women's open eight race, the winning boat from UB finished the three-mile course in a time of 15:12. The rowers on that boat were Corinne Blum, Nicki Cyr, Natalie Pugliese, Jill Harcelrode, Paige Baritot, Melina Dicosimo, Lauren Sexton, Karen Corey and coxswain Sher Briggs.

Another UB boat finished in second place, manned by rowers Chandra Hazey, Emilee Norris, Amanda Mackeigan, Bridget Yannes, Jessica Hughes, Amanda Garbacz, Maggie Fairgrieve, Bonnie McVicker and coxswain Margaret Devendorf.

Saturday marked only the second time that UB had competed in this particular race.

"We are a younger team this year, and I think that that is a very good thing," Wieler said. "Younger teams are tighter and more of a team, especially in this case."

The Bulls won again in the collegiate/youth eight race. The freshmen crossed the line with a time of 16:01, beating West Virginia who won last year's race. The rowers in that boat were Lauren Sexton, Amanda Garbacz, Amanda Mackeigan, Melina Dicosimo, Bridget Yannes, Laura Sherman, Morgan Witte, Thandiwe Price and coxswain Adrienne Wotowa Bergen.

For the team's third victory of the regatta the lightweight four finished ahead of the University of Pittsburgh by two seconds to take the win. The rowers on that boat were Caitlin Hambridge, Beth Gaworecki, Elly Henderson, Katie Barnum and coxswain Kaitlin Buchheit.

The season couldn't have had a more successful opening regatta. The new additions to this year's team seem to be paying off. The future looks bright for these young rowers.

"We have a lot more depth this year," Wieler said. "The new recruits are meshing very well with the rest of the team. The coaches are having a lot of fun and so are the athletes."

If fun is measured in wins, then so far, the rowing team must be having quite a time.

The Bulls will row again in the Stonehurst Regatta on Sunday, Oct. 9 in Rochester.