???Competing in its first conference championship, the rowing team came to Philadelphia on a mission to place.
???With a second place finish, the team had positive results through its first Colonial Athletic Association Conference Championships.
???Buffalo continued its success this season on Saturday afternoon, finishing four points behind champion Northeastern. The team followed up their runner-up performance by winning the Kerr Cup.
???At the CAA's, the Varsity Four boat finished first in their event. The boat, run by freshman Alison Sheehan, sophomore Stephanie Szymanski, freshman Samantha Barrett, freshman Dakota Smith and freshman Jacklyn Postulka, took home the win, beating out Northeastern's Varsity Four boat by nine points with a time of 7:41.93.
???The Bulls Varsity Eight was one of two boats that finished in second place. ???Consisting of junior Britt Marshall, senior Lauren Sexton, senior Melina DiCosimo, junior Tara Rudkoski, senior Bridget Yannes, sophomore Ashley Hanhurst, sophomore Sasha Bailey, junior Sam Masucci and junior Cathleen Streicher, the boat clocked in just less than five seconds behind Northeastern's boat.
???Buffalo's second Varsity Eight was successful and took second place with a time of 7:00.63. Overall, the Bulls finished the Championships with 31 points, four points behind the Huskies' 35.
???Head coach Rudy Wieler was pleased with the results.
???"It was a very good day for us," he said. "Following last weekend's win at the Knecht Cup, I was very pleased with the effort. Our kids work hard and we've had a great two weekends."
???Taking place in the afternoon only a few hours later, the Kerr Cup challenged the rowers' physical and mental toughness. They didn't blink as all four of Buffalo's boats grabbed first-place finishes.
???"A lot of kids did three races in less than eight hours, so that's a testament to their endurance," Wieler said.
???The most important thing to Wieler was getting every member of the team a medal.
???"The best thing I could say is this: we took 32 kids to this championship, and all of them came back with a gold medal," he said.
???According to Wieler, the second-place finish in the championship was a testament to the team's overall effort throughout the season.
???"How many teams have we got at UB?" Wieler said. "How many teams come in second at their conference championships? So I think that sums it up."
???Wieler is looking forward to getting back to Philadelphia on May 8 to May 9 for the Dad Vail Regatta. With over 100 squads from across the nation competing in the event, the Dad Vail is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States. Thousands of student athletes will visit the city during the two-day span.
???Last season, Buffalo captured the Overall Point Championship at the event. Wieler's team is looking forward to the opportunity to repeat.
???"We're getting ready to go to the Dad Vail's in Philadelphia and defend our team point's championship," Wieler said. "I feel very confident that we will."
???Before the Dad Vail, the rowers have a date in Worchester on Saturday as they take on Holy Cross and Boston College.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
