Bucknell secures third straight conference championship

On the hottest day of the spring season thus far, Bucknell took to Mercer Lake to defend its Mid-Altantic Rowing Conference title that it had won each of the last two years. While every member of the team competed, only the first varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four were eligible to score points. Bucknell knew that George Washington and Lehigh lurked as potential threats heading into the weekend. Every race would be a battle.

In the morning, the varsity eight preserved its energy, only doing as much as it needed to qualify for the grand final. Standing in the way of gold, however, was George Washington, a boat that beat Bucknell by a length the weekend prior. Off the line, Bucknell struggled to maintain its point and fell behind early. The crew regrouped and attacked the middle 1000m, making up some ground on George Washington, but like the week before, Bucknell would finish one length down. Despite winning silver, the varsity eight secured valuable points that would contribute towards the team total.

Ahead of the regatta, the event that intrigued the coaches most was the second varsity eight due to the intrasquad racing that would occur between the second varsity eight, third varsity eight and novice eight. To make things even more interesting, this iteration of the 3v was completely fresh and thrown together just a couple days earlier – four members of the existing 3v would be joined by four new members of the 4v. In the morning, all three crews successfully advanced from their respective heats, meaning half of the grand final would consist of boats from Bucknell.

The 2v took instant control of the grand final, separating itself from the field with a dynamic start off the line. Lingering in the background was a four-boat race between the 2v’s from Lehigh and GW, and the novice eight and 3v from Bucknell. Entering the final quarter, both Bucknell boats shared the slightest of overlap with Lehigh and GW. With 90 seconds to go, the Bucknell 3v shifted gears to overtake the novice eight and apply pressure on Lehigh. During the final portion of the race, this crew was the fastest on the water. The Bucknell 2v would comfortably win the grand final with the fast-charging 3v finishing fourth and the novice eight finishing fifth.

Four members of the 3v momentarily stepped away from their boat this weekend to form a varsity four. With just two practices under its belt, this crew felt cohesive enough to throw down a fast time and win the event. Sure enough they would, and by open water for good measure.

Similarly, four members of the 4v came together to row a second varsity four without much preparation. They would easily handle Stockton to secure the win.

Between its second-place finish in the 1v, and first-place finishes in the 2v and V4+, Bucknell scored more points than any other team to solidify its third consecutive conference title.

The biggest test of the year awaits the team in Tennessee two weeks from now where it will take on the fastest club teams in the country for the ACRA National Championship. The team will hope to improve on last year’s sixth place finish among 72 teams.

1st Varsity 8+ – 2024 Hudson U8.43 Ultra Super Predator
Coxswain: Izzy Mersky, Sr.
Stroke: Andrew Viola, Sr.
7: Chris Kirby, So.
6: Zach Gerhardt, Sr.
5: Conor McNichols, Jr.
4: Sen Zelov, Jr.
3: Ryan Genel, So.
2: Miles Clyde, Fr.
Bow: Jonas Sanchez, Fr.

2nd Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Tyler Leong, Fr.
Stroke: Luka Arvanitis, Jr.
7: Luke Lambropoulos, Sr.
6: Soren Stein, Fr.
5: Oliver Abushacra, So.
4: Dominic Canale, Sr.
3: Jackson Green, Fr.
2: Ryan Spallone, Jr.
Bow: Sebastian Brandt, Fr.

3rd Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Jack Lieblein, So.
Stroke: Will Blumenthal, So.
7: Andy Thompson, Jr.
6: Griffin Walsh, So.
5: Jack Greenleaf, Fr.
4: Robert Canestrari, Fr.
3: Collin Campbell, Fr.
2: Travis Stanitis, So.
Bow: Brendan Arnold, Sr.

Novice 8+ – Class of 2020
Coxswain: Zach Singer, Fr.
Stroke: Wes Peot, Fr.
7: Cornelius Nichilo, Fr.
6: Kristian Komorowski, Fr.
5: Joe Hofmann, Fr.
4: Tiarnan Nowak, Fr.
3: Jacob Mohr, Fr.
2: Tanner Tighelaar, Fr.
Bow: Tommy Smith, Fr.

Varsity 4+
Coxswain: Regine Escher, Fr.
Stroke: Tim Robertson, So.
3: Graham Knox, Sr.
2: John Kirincich, So.
Bow: Tennyson Kelly, Fr.

2nd Varsity 4+
Coxswain: Luke Catalanello, Fr.
Stroke: Griffin Walsh, So.
3: Chris Morale, So.
2: Connor Orkin, Fr.
Bow: Ryan Firestone, So.