Saints Win Men's Four Event Against Hamilton Sunday

The Saints A boat won the men's four event Sunday against Hamilton.

Oct. 4:  The St. Lawrence University men's crew team got their 2009-10 season underway Sunday competing against Hamilton College in Clinton, NY.

Head Coach George Repicky explained that the goal of the race was to get his athletes on the water, while giving the novices race experience.  "Most of the novices have only been on the water with a coach next to them," Coach Repicky said.  "The race this weekend was an opportunity for them to be on the water by themselves with another boat next to them."

In the men's eight event, Hamilton's A boat finished first with a time of 23:28.12.  The Scarlet and Brown put out two boats made up primarily of novice men.  The Saints A boat finished behind Hamilton with a time of 24:32.62.  Sophomore Will Schrade sat stroke seat, while first-year Christian Bergbauer sat seven, first-year Evan McConnell sat six, first-year Sam Baker sat five, sophomore Jamie Cook sat four, first-year Rob Meacham sat three, first-year Ben Bills sat two, and first-year Jeff Pond sat bow.  Sophomore Mike Cianca sat as the coxswain of Saints A boat.    

The Saints B boat rounded out the event with a time of 24:59.89.  First-year Nick Hoffmann stroked the boat, while first-year James Morse sat seven seat, senior Brendan Kiniry sat six seat, sophomore Brent Underwood sat five, first-year Luke Reed sat four, first-year Ryan Lee sat three, first-year Walter Morrell sat two, and first-year Francis Stripp sat bow.  Junior Alison Webster sat as coxswain of the B boat.

In the men's four event, the Saints A boat finished on top with a time of 25:10.53.  Sophomore Justin Painter sat stroke seat, while sophomore John Williams sat three seat, sophomore Jamie Cook sat two seat, and sophomore Justin Raffaeli sat bow.  Sophomore Mike Cianca sat as the A boat's coxswain. 

Hamilton's four finished a mere three seconds behind the Scarlet and Brown with a time of 25:13.93, while the Saints novice four finished third with a time of 26:43.08.  Hoffman stroked the boat, while Bergbauer rowed three seat, McConnell sat two, and Morse rowed bow.  First-year Audrey Strasenburgh coxed the novice four.

In the men's single event, sophomore Will Schrade finished with the fastest time of the day with 29:28.00.

Coach Repicky said he was impressed with the performance of all of his crews.  He said he specifically enjoys how the team has developed as a whole.  "The upperclassmen provide great leadership for the underclassmen," Coach Repicky said.

The Saints will compete at the Head of the Genesee next weekend, Sunday Oct. 11 in Rochester, NY.