Pioneer Navy's plotted course toward Dad Vails energized by weekend at SIRAs

Apr. 17, 2005
OAK RIDGE, TN - Coach John Bancheri and his Pioneer Navy are full of confidence and excitement following a weekend (Apr. 15-17) of racing on Melton Hill Lake at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships (SIRAs). The Pioneers, who are ranked 25th in the nation, traditionally taper its training to race at the event. This year, however, Marietta choose to bypass this tactic, in hopes of giving itself a better chance to accomplish its end goal - Dad Vail Gold.

While many thought this tactic would inhibit them at this weekend's regatta, the Pioneers showed everyone that, even when they were not looking to peak, Marietta still had the ability to affect a race, as the Pioneer Navy took second place behind Virginia in the Grand Finals of the Varsity Eight.

Marietta advanced to the featured event, by winning its opening heat (6:06.10) and semifinal race (6:20.70) Saturday. The two wins set up a showdown with Virginia, Florida Tech, Purdue, North Carolina and Georgia Tech in Sunday's final.

The Cavaliers' powerful start gave them a slim two-seat lead at the 500m mark, while the Pioneers, Boilermakers, Tar Heels and Panthers were all dead even. Virginia increased its lead to four seats at the 1,000m stage. Marietta made its move just past the halfway mark, but faltered slightly, allowing Virginia (6:02.80) to earn the win. The Pioneers (6:06.34) were then forced to hold off the other three boats for second place and used a late surge to cross the line just ahead of Florida Tech (6:07.25), Purdue (6:07.47) and North Carolina (6:07.47). Georgia Tech placed sixth (6:11.53).

"I am so proud of our men," said Bancheri, who is in his 11th year with Marietta. "We still have work to do to obtain our terminal goal (Dad Vail gold), but I am confident we can accomplish it in 2005."

"Although we didn't win the race, this will help us in the long run," added senior Matt Henwood (Malvern, PA/LaSalle). "We are willing to take a few hits along the way en route to achieving our goal (Dad Vail gold)."

"We raced well this weekend," said senior Rob Johnson (Margate, NJ/Atlantic City). "With continued hard work, I am confident we can break our drought and win Dad Vails next month."

The Pioneers also competed in the Varsity Lightweight Four, JV Eight and Freshman/Novice Eight races this weekend in Tennessee.

The Lightweight Four won its heat (6:50.40) to advance to the finals Friday, where they placed fourth (7:06.90).

Marietta's JV Eight also took first in it heat (6:19.50), before placing third (6:24.37), behind Florida Tech (6:18.10) and Virginia (6:18.10) in the finals.

The Freshman/Novice Eight won its opening heat (6:19.80) and took second in the semifinals (6:21.21). The boat then finished the finals in 6:23.62, just behind Virginia (6:17.30) to place second.

"This weekend showed us a lot," said senior Andy Coniglio (Chattanooga, TN/Chattanooga Christian). "All of our boats are hungry and dedicated to working hard over the next few weeks as we prepare for Dad Vails."

"The last race of the year is what people remember," added Bancheri. "Although we still have work to do, I feel something special brewing here and can't wait for everyone on the Schuylkill River (Dad Vails) to witness it."

The Pioneer Navy will return to Marietta for a short layoff, so its athletes can focus on upcoming finals. The Freshman/Novice Eight and Lightweight Four, however, will travel to the West Virginia Governor's Cup in Charleston, WV., on Saturday (April 23).