Marietta men open 2006 spring season at FIT's Governor's Cup Regatta

Mar. 19, 2006
FELLSMERE, Florida — The Marietta College men's crew program, under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Pucella, kicked off the 2006 season at the Governor's Cup Regatta Saturday (Mar. 18), on Canal 54.

The Pioneer Navy spent a week practicing on the canal prior to the event. During that time, the men rowed 237,000 meters on the water in 15 practices, the most that they have ever compiled. Highlighting the week's practice was the 24 mile Darth Vader row on the first Saturday that the crew was in Florida.

Marietta's Varsity Eight, which sat from bow Zach Stimart, Evan Tsourtsoulas, Chase Graham, Andrew Norris, Karl Biermann, Mike Ross, Eric Dowler, stroke Jon Carlon and coxswain Tim Rinehart, began the morning with a preliminary race against Columbia's (N.Y.) Varsity Heavyweight Eight.

The Lions beat the Pioneers off the line, forcing Marietta to play catch up the rest of the way, which totaled 2,000 meters. Marietta walked its way back into the race, but Columbia (5:58.6) was able to cross the finish four seats ahead of the Pioneers (6:00.1). The Lions advanced to the final against its Lightweight Eight (6:03.0) teammates, who defeated host Florida Institute of Technology (6:06.0).

The prelim results sent Marietta to the Petite Final against FIT. Again, the Pioneers (5:55.0) were slow at the start, giving the Panthers open water after the first 300 meters. The Pioneers regrouped to take the lead down the stretch and held on for the three-seat victory over the Panthers (5:56.4).

"Both of the Varsity Eight's races were technically smooth," said Pucella. "We spent more time on the water than Columbia and FIT and our fatigue showed during the races. However, the week of training will prove more beneficial down the road than the race itself."

The 2nd Varsity Eight, which included stroke Chuck Geyer, Brent Keuch, Devin Whitney, Justin Callahan, Mitch Paskawych,Dave Himes, Austin McIntire, bow Brian Casto and coxswain Lydia Easterling, also competed at the event and took first place in the four-boat race.

A slow start had the Pioneers down four seats to the Lion's Heavyweight Eight at the 250 meter mark. Marietta (6:08.6) made its move soon after and eventually had open water over the field at the finish line. Columbia's Heavyweight placed second (6:15.9), while its Lightweight took third (6:22.1) and FIT finished fourth (6:38.6).

Marietta's Novice Four also went up against a Columbia shell. The Pioneers, which sat from stroke Craig Ripiski, Joe Lincke, Nicholas Brown, bow Austin McIntire and coxswain Sarah Kozusko, finished second to Columbia's Lightweight, which was made up of four high school veterans, compared to Marietta's four newcomers to the sport.

"Overall, the men felt very good about its week and looking forward to Purdue next weekend," said Pucella.

Marietta will get its chance to go head-to-head against the Boilermakers Saturday (Mar. 25) at the 51st annual MC vs. Purdue Challenge, which will be raced on the Muskingum River.