Pioneer Navy finds success at Stonehurst Invitational

Oct. 9, 2005
ROCHESTER, NY – The Marietta College men’s rowing team made a successful debut under new head coach Christopher Pucella Sunday (Oct. 9) at the Stonehurst Invitational Regatta, held on the Genesse River in Rochester, NY.

The Pioneers entered two boats into the event, which included some of the top crews in the United States, as well as Canada. Marietta held their own against the likes of Harvard, Brown, Syracuse and Western Ontario in the Open Eight competition, finishing fifth overall.

Marietta really shined in the morning portion of the regatta, a three-mile headrace, where the Pioneers finished third. 2005 IRA Champion Harvard (15:55.49) and Western Ontario (16:06.32) were the only shells to beat Marietta (16:07.96) to the line. Syracuse (16:08.65) and Brown (16:11.59) rounded out the top five finishers of the morning’s competition.

Following a brief layoff, the crews returned to the water for 1500-meter sprints, which paired boats based on their placement in the morning race. Marietta was slated to race fourth place Syracuse in the race, but the Orange ran into trouble on their way to the start line and had to return to the dock to switch boats. As a result, the Pioneer Navy had to row the 1500-meter course without direct competition, clearly a disadvantage compared to the other schools. Marietta rowed hard, relying on their training for the proper pace, and finished with a time of 4:23.20.

When all of the head-to-head races were completed and the times weighed accordingly, Harvard was declared the champion and awarded the George M. Angle Cup. Brown took second, Western Ontario third and Syracuse fourth.

Marietta, which sat from bow Zach Stimart, Chuck Geyer, Chase Graham, Devin Whitney, Matt Hoffer, Mike Ross, Evan Tsourtsoulas, stroke Matt Henwood and coxswain Devin Ohman, finished fifth overall, just seven seconds off Brown.

The Pioneers also sent a Lightweight Four to the Stonehurst. The shell, consisting of bow Dave Himes, Tom Gray, Eric Dowler, stroke Jon Carlon and coxswain Tim Rinehart, competed in the Open Fours race. The format was the same as the Open Eight race, with a three-mile headrace in the morning and the 1,500-meter sprint in the afternoon.

Marietta finished the three-mile course with a time of 18:19.44 and the sprint in 5:04.75. Both times were good enough for third in the event, giving the Pioneers a third place finish overall. Queens won the championship and its lightweight shell placed second, while Syracuse and Buffalo rounded out the top five.

The Pioneer Navy’s next race is the Head of the Muskingum, which will be held the Sunday of Marietta College’s Homecoming (Oct. 23).