Pioneer men take three of four races at 51st annual Marietta vs. Purdue Challenge Cup Varsity Eight retains Challenge Cup; has now won battle 10 of the last 12 seasons

Mar. 25, 2006
MARIETTA, Florida — Head men's rowing coach Chris Pucella had mixed emotions following Saturday's (Mar. 25) competition with rival Purdue on the Muskingum River. Pucella, in his first year at the 51st annual Marietta vs. Purdue Challenge Cup, was excited that his kids won three of the four events, including the featured race — the Varsity Eight. However, he acknowledged that his men didn't put together their best showing.

"To win three of four races against a very strong Purdue team at such a historical event was great and a credit to the hard work of the guys," Pucella said. "None of the boats, however, were really satisfied with their race. That quest for perfection will continue to drive us to get better as the season moves forward."

Marietta's Novice Four, which sat from bow Austin McIntire, Nicholas Brown, Joe Lincke, stroke Craig Ripiski and coxswain Sarah Kozusko, began the day by facing off with two Purdue Freshman/Novice shells. The Pioneers finished third (6:52.1), while the Boilermakers "A" boat won (6:30.4) and their "B" boat took second (6:42.4).

The Pioneer Navy's 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, was next to take the water. Marietta (5:33.4) picked up its first win of the day by pulling out a seven second victory over Purdue (5:40.4).

Following a brief lay-off for the women's Varsity Four and Varsity Eight races, both won by Purdue, the Pioneers and the Boilermakers went head-to-head in the featured race of the afternoon, the Varsity Eight.

Marietta, 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, beat Purdue off the start line and set the tone for the rest of the 2,000 meter sprint. The Pioneers kept the lead the entire way and crossed the finish line with a three second victory. Marietta finished in 5:31.6, while Purdue finished in 5:34.6. It was the fifth straight win for MC in the event.

Purdue and Marietta squared off in one last race of the day. An exhibition race pitted the Boilermaker's Freshman/Novice Eight against a Pioneer boat that had seven freshman and one sophomore who did not compete in the other three races.

Marietta's shell, which sat from bow Brian Casto, Nick Brown, Joe Lincke, Craig Ripiski, Chris Engler, Mitch Paskawych, Austin McIntire, stroke Devin Whitney and coxswain Sarah Kozusko, was able to pull off the upset, defeating Purdue 6:02.1 to 6:05.2.

The Pioneer Navy will return to action Saturday (Apr. 8) when it competes at the George Washington Invitational in Washington, D.C.