Saturday, March 29
Shamokin Dam, Pa.
10 a.m.
Bucknell University
vs
Michigan/Rutgers/Virginia
Men's Crew Hosts Season Opener against Michigan, Rutgers, Virginia
4/2/2025 1:02:00 PM | Men's Crew
There's always pressure on the first race of the year, and even more so when it's on your home course. Bucknell University Men's Crew hosted the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, and Rutgers University to open the season. The morning matched up the Bison against the Wolverines and the Cavaliers against the Scarlet Knights. The afternoon racing saw Bucknell v. Rutgers and Michigan v. Virginia.
The varsity 8 started the day off strong led by junior stroke seat Christopher Kirby. Both Michigan and Bucknell blasted off the line and Michigan took the early lead, if only by a seat or two. As the crews settled into their base rhythms, Bucknell crept back and took a few seats on their competition. It wasn't until the 750m mark where sophomore coxswain Regine Escher led the boat to pull away from Michigan so that they had a full length lead by the 1k mark. The Bison, staying long, loose, and aggressive, kept their foot on the gas and continued to power away from their competition. At the finish line the Bison posted a time of 5:43.2 to the Wolverine's 5:51.8. Senior Seneker Zelov, a staple of the varsity 8 since his sophomore year, said "after a week of bad weather and subpar practice conditions, it was great to come out on race day and execute. We're hungry and ready to keep racing!" In the afternoon, the Bison matched up against a tough crew from Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights got the early lead and held it until the last 500m when the Bison started to move back, but it was too little, too late, and Rutgers held on to win by 2.9 seconds.
The second varsity 8 followed the tone set by the varsity 8. Despite a fast start from Michigan, Bucknell's base speed proved stronger, and the Bison quickly powered through and away from Michigan. The final margin was the Bison by 10.1 seconds. The 2V delivered again in the afternoon match up, beating the Scarlet Knights by a margin of 22 seconds. In the third varsity 8 race Michigan blasted off the line to an early lead but once the crews settled neither crew could move an inch. The Bison made a late move to cut the lead to 3/4 of a length, but the Wolverines responded and beat them to the line by 3.7 seconds. In their second race against Rutgers, the 3V took the early lead and didn't look back, winning by a margin of 17 seconds. Junior Ryan Genel reflected on the day " It was a fun day of racing. Always good to get a few laps down the track against some top teams, even better when it's close racing. The entire team got some good experience and I'm excited for the rest of the season."
The freshman 8 delivered in both races, knocking off perennial powerhouse Michigan by 10.4 seconds and Rutgers by 5.9. Despite the choppy waters and intense racing, the novice crew stayed composed and long. "After an up and down week at practice and changing lineups, it was great to see this crew put it together on race day and deliver solid performances. Now we're back to the classroom to make it better and more consistent. I can't wait to see how this crew continues to develop!" said Assistant Coach Viola. Michigan's depth showed through in the fourth varsity 8 race, where both their 2nd novice 8 and their 4th varsity 8 were able to beat the Bucknell 4V. The worst conditions of the day caused the Bison crew to struggle off the line, and they couldn't find their composure back. In their second race, the 4V found their rhythm and beat Rutgers by almost 30 seconds.
Official results for the day of racing can be found here.
Up next the ACRA #4 ranked Bison head up to Geneva, NY, to race against the Hobart Statesmen.
1st Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Regine Escher, So.
Stroke: Christopher Kirby, Jr.
7: Ryan Genel Jr.
6: Seneker Zelov, Sr.
5: Miles Clyde, So.
4: Kristian Komorowski, So.
3: Soren Stein, So.
2: Tanner Tighelaar, So.
Bow: Sebastian Brandt, So.
2nd Varsity 8+ – 2024 Hudson U8.43 Ultra Super Predator "Shark"
Coxswain: Tyler Leong, So.
Stroke: Wesley Peot, So.
7: Jacob Mohr, So.
6: Tiarnan Nowak, So.
5: Conor McNichols, Sr.
4: Jack Greenleaf, So.
3: Jackson Lilley, Fr.
2: Ryan Spallone, Sr.
Bow: John Kirincich, Jr.
3rd Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Jack Lieblein, Jr.
Stroke: Tim Robertson, Jr.
7: Tennyson Kelly, So.
6: Jonas Sanchez, So.
5: Connor Orkin, So.
4: Cornelius Nichilo, So.
3: Robert Canestrari, So.
2: Ryan Firestone, Jr.
Bow: Travis Stanitis, Jr.
4th Varsity 8+ – Class of 2020
Coxswain: Caly Kuzdzal, Fr. / Anna Solar, So.
Stroke: Sam Langlois, Fr.
7: Tommy Smith, So.
6: Chris Morale, Jr.
5: Joe Hofmann, So.
4: Solomon Bell, So.
3: Griffin Walsh, Jr.
2: Peter Nasto, Jr.
Bow: Will Blumenthal, Jr.
Novice 8+ – Class of 1985
Coxswain: Sean Doherty, Fr.
Stroke: Peter Schmidt, Fr.
7: Helton Young, Fr.
6: Will Curtis, Fr.
5: Neil Davidek, Fr.
4: Cristofer Santanna, Fr.
3: Ben Cowan, Fr.
2: Hunter Cassidy, Fr.
1: Charlie Theodore, Fr.
Novice 4+ – 2011
Coxswain: Josiah Kwok, Jr.
Stroke: Zac Snyder, Fr.
3: Zach Friedman, Fr.
2: Luke Catalanello, So.
1: Franklin Enkhmandakh, Fr.
The varsity 8 started the day off strong led by junior stroke seat Christopher Kirby. Both Michigan and Bucknell blasted off the line and Michigan took the early lead, if only by a seat or two. As the crews settled into their base rhythms, Bucknell crept back and took a few seats on their competition. It wasn't until the 750m mark where sophomore coxswain Regine Escher led the boat to pull away from Michigan so that they had a full length lead by the 1k mark. The Bison, staying long, loose, and aggressive, kept their foot on the gas and continued to power away from their competition. At the finish line the Bison posted a time of 5:43.2 to the Wolverine's 5:51.8. Senior Seneker Zelov, a staple of the varsity 8 since his sophomore year, said "after a week of bad weather and subpar practice conditions, it was great to come out on race day and execute. We're hungry and ready to keep racing!" In the afternoon, the Bison matched up against a tough crew from Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights got the early lead and held it until the last 500m when the Bison started to move back, but it was too little, too late, and Rutgers held on to win by 2.9 seconds.
The second varsity 8 followed the tone set by the varsity 8. Despite a fast start from Michigan, Bucknell's base speed proved stronger, and the Bison quickly powered through and away from Michigan. The final margin was the Bison by 10.1 seconds. The 2V delivered again in the afternoon match up, beating the Scarlet Knights by a margin of 22 seconds. In the third varsity 8 race Michigan blasted off the line to an early lead but once the crews settled neither crew could move an inch. The Bison made a late move to cut the lead to 3/4 of a length, but the Wolverines responded and beat them to the line by 3.7 seconds. In their second race against Rutgers, the 3V took the early lead and didn't look back, winning by a margin of 17 seconds. Junior Ryan Genel reflected on the day " It was a fun day of racing. Always good to get a few laps down the track against some top teams, even better when it's close racing. The entire team got some good experience and I'm excited for the rest of the season."
The freshman 8 delivered in both races, knocking off perennial powerhouse Michigan by 10.4 seconds and Rutgers by 5.9. Despite the choppy waters and intense racing, the novice crew stayed composed and long. "After an up and down week at practice and changing lineups, it was great to see this crew put it together on race day and deliver solid performances. Now we're back to the classroom to make it better and more consistent. I can't wait to see how this crew continues to develop!" said Assistant Coach Viola. Michigan's depth showed through in the fourth varsity 8 race, where both their 2nd novice 8 and their 4th varsity 8 were able to beat the Bucknell 4V. The worst conditions of the day caused the Bison crew to struggle off the line, and they couldn't find their composure back. In their second race, the 4V found their rhythm and beat Rutgers by almost 30 seconds.
Official results for the day of racing can be found here.
Up next the ACRA #4 ranked Bison head up to Geneva, NY, to race against the Hobart Statesmen.
Coxswain: Regine Escher, So.
Stroke: Christopher Kirby, Jr.
7: Ryan Genel Jr.
6: Seneker Zelov, Sr.
5: Miles Clyde, So.
4: Kristian Komorowski, So.
3: Soren Stein, So.
2: Tanner Tighelaar, So.
Bow: Sebastian Brandt, So.
2nd Varsity 8+ – 2024 Hudson U8.43 Ultra Super Predator "Shark"
Coxswain: Tyler Leong, So.
Stroke: Wesley Peot, So.
7: Jacob Mohr, So.
6: Tiarnan Nowak, So.
5: Conor McNichols, Sr.
4: Jack Greenleaf, So.
3: Jackson Lilley, Fr.
2: Ryan Spallone, Sr.
Bow: John Kirincich, Jr.
3rd Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Jack Lieblein, Jr.
Stroke: Tim Robertson, Jr.
7: Tennyson Kelly, So.
6: Jonas Sanchez, So.
5: Connor Orkin, So.
4: Cornelius Nichilo, So.
3: Robert Canestrari, So.
2: Ryan Firestone, Jr.
Bow: Travis Stanitis, Jr.
4th Varsity 8+ – Class of 2020
Coxswain: Caly Kuzdzal, Fr. / Anna Solar, So.
Stroke: Sam Langlois, Fr.
7: Tommy Smith, So.
6: Chris Morale, Jr.
5: Joe Hofmann, So.
4: Solomon Bell, So.
3: Griffin Walsh, Jr.
2: Peter Nasto, Jr.
Bow: Will Blumenthal, Jr.
Novice 8+ – Class of 1985
Coxswain: Sean Doherty, Fr.
Stroke: Peter Schmidt, Fr.
7: Helton Young, Fr.
6: Will Curtis, Fr.
5: Neil Davidek, Fr.
4: Cristofer Santanna, Fr.
3: Ben Cowan, Fr.
2: Hunter Cassidy, Fr.
1: Charlie Theodore, Fr.
Novice 4+ – 2011
Coxswain: Josiah Kwok, Jr.
Stroke: Zac Snyder, Fr.
3: Zach Friedman, Fr.
2: Luke Catalanello, So.
1: Franklin Enkhmandakh, Fr.
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