Pioneer Navy opens the 2006 fall season at the Head of the Genesee
Men's Varsity 8 takes first and women's Varsity 8 takes 10th in College division

Oct. 8, 2006
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Marietta College men and women’s rowing teams opened their 2006 fall racing season by competing at the 18th annual Head of the Genesee Invitational Regatta in Genesee Valley Park on Sunday (Oct. 9). The event, which was co-hosted by the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and Rochester Institute of Technology (N.Y.), featured over 30 collegiate teams from the Northeast and Canada.

The Head of the Genesee, formerly know as the Stonehurst Invitational, draws top competition due to its unique regatta format. Historically, each crew raced twice. In the morning, crews competed over a 3-mile headrace course. In the afternoon, crews were paired, based on their headrace results, for a 1,500-meter sprint race.

Unfortunately, as opposed to previous years, only half of the crews racing in the morning were allowed to progress to the afternoon’s 1,500-meter sprint.

The Marietta College men had two boats—a Varsity 8 and Varsity 4—in the competition, while the Pioneer women had a Varsity 8 shell race this weekend.

The men’s Varsity 8 included stroke Chuck Geyer (Springfield, Va./West Springfield), Eric Dowler (Washington, W.Va./Parkersburg South), Mike Ross (Fairport, N.Y.), Andrew Norris (Dublin/Dublin Scioto), Mitch Paskawych (Marietta), Chase Graham (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South), Jon Carlon (Winter Park, Fla.), bow Zach Stimart (McLean, Va.) and coxswain Lydia Easterling (Tallmadge). Six of the eight were members of the 2006 Dad Vail Championship boat. Marietta finished fifth in the morning, completing the race in 15:19.76. In the afternoon, the Pioneer crossed the line with the sixth-fastest time (4:19.77). When the two times were weighted, Marietta finished in sixth overall (28:19.07). The Pioneer Navy, however, won the Kate Louise Cup, which is awarded to the top men's Collegiate 8 boat.

“Overall, the men rowed a solid race,” said Head Coach Chris Pucella. “As a team, we wanted to move up on Brown and Syracuse, but they both got faster this year and really showed their depth. We could have put together a better race, but it gives us an excellent start to the year.”

The men’s Varsity 4 also competed in the morning competition, The shell, which included stroke Steve Little (Seattle, Wash./Bishop Blanchet), Kevin Wessler (Port Republic, N.J./Holy Spirit), Craig Ripski (Claymont, Del./Concord), bow Mike Flanagan (Absecan, N.J./Holy Spirit) and coxswainRita McCoy (Lansdowne, Pa./Archbishop Prendergast), however, did not make the newly implemented cut to row the sprint.

Marietta’s women’s Varsity 8 also fell victim to the new rule. The shell, which sat stroke Dee Dee Wilkey (Erie, Pa./Collegiate Academy), Sotiria Anagnostou (Mishauvaka, Ind./Culver Academy), Deb Dreyer (Middleburg Heights/Midpark), Caitlin Piotrowski (Dublin/Dublin Jerome), Lyndsay Offenberger (Marietta), Jessica Peatee (Toledo/Central Catholic), Meg Foraker (New Lexington/Culver Academy), bow Anjouli Dapice (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) and coxswain Katt Mackin (Dublin/Dublin Coffman), finished the morning 3-mile head race in 18:35, a 1:13 improvement from last year. The time was good enough for 10th place in the College division and 27th overall.

“The team was eager and excited about the opportunity to test themselves against outside competition,” said Head Coach Karen Glowacki. “While the weekend was a disappointment because of the way that the rule changes were handled, I am proud of the way that the women handled themselves, and we have a very positive race for us to build upon.”

Both programs will officially be off until competing at the Head of the Charles (Oct. 21-22) in Boston, Mass. However, each will celebrate Homecoming at Marietta College Saturday (Oct. 14), with the Freshmen–Crew Alumni Race at the Lindamood/Van Voorhis Boathouse. Action begins at 8 a.m.