Pioneer Navy competes at Indianapolis College Invitational
Varsity Eight takes second to Michigan in finals

Apr. 22, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Marietta College men's rowing team, which received votes in the latest USRowing national poll, competed at the Indianapolis College Invitational Saturday (Apr. 22) afternoon. The Pioneers, like they have done all season, went head-to-head with some of the nation's top rowing programs. This week, the Varsity Eight finished second only to No. 14 Michigan.

Marietta's Varsity Eight, which consisted of bow Zach Stimart, Evan Tsourtsoulas, Chase Graham, Andrew Norris, Karl Biermann, Mike Ross, Eric Dowler, stroke Chuck Geyer and coxswain Tim Rinehart, won its morning heat to advance to the finals. The Pioneers (6:29) beat all of their opponents, including Ohio State and Minnesota, to the line.

Michigan (6:28) won its heat, while Purdue (6:30) crossed the line first in the third heat of the day.

In the finals, Marietta got a jump on Michigan off the line and was just two or three seats off the Wolverines at the 1,200m mark when the crews hit the headwind. From there, the heavier Michigan crew (6:18) was able to use the headwind to its advantage and held off Marietta (6:22) for the win. Both crews had open water on Purdue (6:31) and St. Joseph (6:37), the next two schools to cross the line.

Marietta's Freshman/Novice Four also competed Saturday. The shell, which featured Craig Ripiski, Nick Brown, Joe Linke, Brian Casto and coxswain Lydia Easterling, just made the cut for the finals and then took full advantage of its opportunity by placing third behind Dayton and Minnesota in the finals.

A Varsity Four, which included lightweights John Carlon, Mitch Paskawych, Austin McIntire, Dave Himes and coxswain Sarah Kozusko, rowed to a seven-second victory over Mercyhurst in its final. Northwestern came in third.

Marietta's Varsity Eight is now of until May 13-14, when it competes at Dad Vails in Philadelphia (Pa.). The Pioneers are planning on sending a couple of other boat to the Mid American Collegiate Rowing Association (MACRA) Championships on May 6.