In many cases, rowing a boat is usually a calming and relaxing experience.
For the rowing team, it's an intense, all-out battle in the water.
Last Saturday, the Bulls competed in the Syracuse Invitational, hoping to follow with the top finishes they have earned in previous meets. At the end of the meet, the Bulls walked away with a first place finish and two second place finishes.
Buffalo's Varsity Four "C" boat achieved first place in the Varsity Four B race with a time of 20:03. The boat consisted of freshman coxswain Alison Sheehan, sophomore Lindsay DiCosimo, senior Bridget Yannes and juniors Alana Sharpe and Francisca Nwoke.
Buffalo defeated boats from Cornell and Syracuse in dramatic fashion, winning the race 23 seconds ahead of the next closest boat. The Bulls also finished in fifth and 10th place.
Cornell, in retaliation, defeated the Bulls in the Varsity Four A race by a three-second margin. The Bulls' Varsity Four "A" boat was made up of junior coxswain Britt Marshall, juniors Kate Garofalo, Cathleen Streicher and Tara Rudkoski as well as senior Melina DiCosimo. The Bulls finished with a time of 19:34.
"It was one of the most important races of the meet," said head coach Rudy Wieler. "Both were great wins."
Later at the meet, Buffalo's Varsity Eight boat earned second place in their event behind Syracuse. The boat finished 35 seconds behind the Orange. In addition to Marshall, Garofalo, Streicher, Rudkoski and DiCosimo, seniors Morgan Witte and Lauren Sexton, sophomore Sasha Bailey and freshman Brittany Ronald were in the boat.
"The girls were tired after their last race but that isn't an excuse," Wieler said. "It is also partly my fault for not having the right combination."
According to Wieler, the teams are going to be shifted constantly in hopes to find something that will work out best for the entire team. He tries new teams all the time in order to find the right mix of rowers to achieve a perfect balance.
"During exhibition is the best time to learn new things," he said. "We keep learning."
Wieler hopes that these shifts will help the rowing team in future meets, including their next event in Boston, Mass.
"We will be racing the very best crews in the Northeast when we go to Boston," he said "It will be our toughest competition."
The Bulls end their fall season at the Foot of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Mass. on Nov. 22.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
