Yesterday Bucknell debuted its newly arranged Sunbury shore racecourse. The course is no Nathan Benderson or Lake Natoma, but it’s 2000m, goes straight and includes buoys. The visiting opponents were the Temple Lightweights and Mercyhurst University, two strong programs that consistently medal in the eight at the Dad Vail Regatta. Heading into Sunday, Bucknell knew that the races would be close, but that if the team raced like it did at UVA, then all boats would take care of business – and so they did!
The 1st Varsity 8+ competed first. Given the scrappy, agile nature of lightweight rowers off the line, the Bucknell 1v aimed to achieve max speed as soon as possible and pound an aggressive base rhythm. Through the first 500, Bucknell created a 3 seat lead on Temple and a bit of open water on Mercyhurst. With Temple no longer in their periphery but in their main line of vision, the Bucknell 1v extended its advantage over the remainder of the race, finishing ahead by a seat or two of open water.
Bucknell 1v – 6:10.7
Temple 1v – 6:16.3
Mercyhurst 1v – 6:33.2
The 2nd Varsity 8+ raced next. Having just watched their teammates get the job done, the crew was eager to match that same effort. From start to finish, this race transpired in an eerily similar way to the one before it. The 2v established a five seat lead through the first 500 that grew to an open water margin by the 1000. Ultimately the crew finished ahead by about eight seats.
Bucknell 2v – 6:25.6
Temple 2v – 6:28.8
Capping off a successful day of winning, the final matchup offered some serious entertainment value: an intersquad affair between the Bucknell JV4+ and Novice 8+. Aside from a few sophomores sprinkled in, the novice boat consisted of freshmen who walked onto the team without experience just one month ago. Thrown into the fire against an experienced 4+ of 3v rowers, the novices managed to build a sizeable lead early on and row clean enough to avoid any boat-stopping setbacks. We are very excited to watch these novices evolve over the next few years and carve more impactful roles within the program. Until then, more miles.
Bucknell Novice 8+ – 7:26.1
Bucknell JV4+ – 7:48.3
Next weekend, Bucknell hosts Lehigh for a rematch of its first race from the spring.
Lineups:
Varsity 8 – 2018 Resolute Midweight XT
Coxswain: Max Silverman ’22
Stroke: Phil Onffroy ’22
7: Andrew Viola ’24
6: Zach Gerhardt ’24
5: Davis MacKelcan ’22
4: Bobby Subak ’21
3: Kevin Carney ’24
2: Thomas Stone ’23
Bow: Jake Bardorf ’23
2nd Varsity 8 – Class of 1985
Coxswain: Izzy Mersky ’24
Stroke: Cameron Baravalle ’24
7: Nathan Peot ’24
6: Luke Lambropoulos ’24
5: Taylor LaRosa ’21
4: Jack Fiala ’23
3: Jackson Ingram ’21
2: Dominic Canale ’24
Bow: Aaron Swope ’22
Novice 8 – Trustee Challenge
Coxswain: Ben Kaller ’24
Stroke: Brian Skeels ’23
7: Brendan Arnold ’24
6: Alex Luzetsky ’24
5: Ricky Osornio ’24
4: Ryan Daly ’24
3: Mason Cametas ’23
2: Dan Van Syckle ’23
Bow: Cesar Spadea ’24
JV4+
Coxswain: Emma Minadeo ’23
Stroke: Sebastian Bickford ’21
3: Brent Mankin ’23
2: Ethan Laurens ’22
Bow: Cian Nowak ’22