Rowing Resilient at State Collegiate Championships

SARATOGA – On Saturday May 5 Vassar rowing headed north to Saratoga for the 2018 New York State Collegiate Rowing Championships on Fish Creek. The Brewer women entered two events on the 2000-meter course into a consistent head wind which slowed times down for the duration of the day. Illness saw the scratching of a third event along with multiple line-up changes from previous weeks.

With three boats moving on to the Grand Final the Women’s Varsity 8+ sat in the third position for the first half of the race before the United States Military Academy moved ahead placing Vassar in fourth ahead of Skidmore and Binghamton and into the Petite Finals later in the day. The Petite Finals saw the Brewer Varsity take control early and finish their season with a comfortable 4 second victory over Skidmore with Geneseo and Binghamton well back. The 7th place finish ties highest placing the Varsity 8+ has recorded since a 5th place finish in 2006.

As the sixth seed in the Women’s 2nd Varsity 8+ the Brewer women hoped to row their way into the Grand Final racing against Hamilton, Ithaca and Union College. A strong start put Vassar 2V ahead of Union College boat early, a lead they would never give up finishing 26 seconds ahead of Union College and behind both Hamilton and Ithaca. With three seniors (Millie Cunningham, Zofia Siwicka and Claire Baker) racing their final collegiate race the Brewers finished in 6th place behind eventual winner Hamilton College and the highest placement for the Vassar 2V since 2003.

“This weekend showed the women’s team resiliency and depth with both boats recording strong finishes despite many last-minute changes. The women rose to the occasion and had our best State Championship since 2003.” Said Head Coach Shawn Turner. “The leadership provided by our three seniors was a large part of making this a successful regatta and year, Zofia Millie and Claire will all be missed next year.”