Bucknell University
Lake Wheeler Invitational
Bucknell Women's Rowing has Strong Showing in Tough Weather Conditions at Lake Wheeler Invitational
4/8/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
April 8, 2006
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Bucknell women's rowing team had four boats compete at the Lake Wheeler Invitational Saturday, co-hosted by Duke and North Carolina, and came away with one first-place and two second-place finishes. The varsity four claimed first place, while the second varsity eight and second varsity four were both runner-ups in their races.
The day's racing schedule was moved up because of impending strong thunderstorms in the area. Many of the races were contested in rough water and strong winds. Both the varsity four and second varsity eight were forced to compete in the finals just 40 minutes after the completion of the heats.
In both its heat and in the final the Bucknell varsity four beat out second-place Navy by more than six seconds. The Bison won their heat in 7 minutes, 50.0 seconds with Navy in second at 7:57.5. George Washington took third in a time of more than eight minutes. The final featured Bucknell and Navy again finishing one-two with the Bison timing in at 7:48.3 and Navy clocking in at 7:54.6. Duke was third in the final with an 8:07.3.
Bucknell's varsity four was the same group that took second at Princeton last week with coxswain-Lisa Patel, stroke-Sarah Wohlman, 3-Cara Cox-Steiner, 2-Julie Curtis, and bow-Amanda Gallina providing the Bison with the victory.
The second varsity eight was also in a battle with Navy in both its heat and in the finals. The boat, which was comprised of coxswain-Jeweliet Yost, stroke-Caitlin Doolin, 7-Whittney Henry, 6-Jessica Glenn, 5-Laura Roberts, 4-Gillian Carter, 3-Erin Henry, 2-Alexis Will and bow-Amanda Roof, won its heat in a time of 7:04.7. The Mids were second in 7:07.0, while George Washington (7:11.9) and SMU (7:15.) were not far behind.
In the finals Bucknell posted a faster time of 7:03.4, but finished second to Navy's 6:58.2. Eastern Michigan (7:04.7) and Duke (7:09.7) took third and fourth place.
It appeared the second varsity four would also win its race as it led the first 1,750 meters. However, in the final 250 meters the Bison clashed oars with another boat and had to come to a stop because they almost collided. This allowed Navy to jump ahead and win with a time of 8:23.7. Even though it came to a halt, the Bucknell second varsity four of coxswain-Anna Latimer, stroke-Susan Shadle, 3-Laura Gestal, 2-Courtney Luzzi and bow-Lauren Bolcar, still took second, just over five seconds behind Navy with a time of 8:28.8. Duke was third, nearly eight seconds behind. Since just three teams had second varsity four boats there were not heats held.
Like the second varsity four, the novice eight experienced problems where it came in contact with another boat, but it happened to the novice eight early in the race as it finished fourth in 7:45.2. North Carolina won by crossing the finish line in 7:00.3. George Washington (7:13.5) and Navy (7:15.7) took second and third, respectively, as only the final was contested due to only four schools having novice eights.
The members of Bucknell's novice eight boat were coxswain-Christine Kassab, stroke-Julia Martin, 7-Kelly McGaw, 6-Katrina Dold, 5-Lisa Prasto, 4-Beth Mooney, 3-Lauren Gibbons, 2-Victoria Cohen and bow-Renee Perry. Last week the same boat defeated Penn State by more than 40 seconds.
Bucknell begins a stretch of home dates starting Wednesday when it hosts Fordham at 5 p.m. on the Susquehanna River in Shamokin Dam, Pa. The Bison will also be home April 15 and will host two different events on April 22. The next time Bucknell will be on the road is for the second-ever Patriot League Championship April 30 in Worcester, Mass.
Second Varsity Eight Heat 1. Bucknell 7:04.7 2. Navy 7:07.0 3. George Washington7:11.9 4. SMU 7:15.0Finals 1. Navy 6:58.2 2. Bucknell 7:03.4 3. Eastern Michigan7:04.7 4. Duke 7:09.7
Varsity Four Heat 1. Bucknell 7:50.0 2. Navy 7:57.5 3. George Washington8:04.5
Finals 1. Bucknell 7:48.3 2. Navy 7:54.6 3. Duke 8:07.3
Second Varsity Four Finals 1. Navy 8:23.7 2. Bucknell 8:28.8 3. Duke 8:36.2
Novice Eight Finals 1. North Carolina 7:00.3 2. George Washington7:13.5 3. Navy 7:15.7 4. Bucknell 7:45.2
