United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Men's Crew

WORCESTER, MASS.--(3/31/07)--The US Coast Guard Academy men's rowing team had a disappointing start to their 2007 season Saturday against DI Holy Cross and DIII rival Wesleyan University on Lake Quinsigamond.

Competing in perfect conditions the Bears men’s varsity 8 matched the early speed of Wesleyan and Holy Cross off the line and through the halfway mark in the race but was unable find the extra gear coming through the 1250 mark. Over the last 500 meters the Bears fell off the higher-rated pace finishing 3rd by 16 seconds to the winner Wesleyan in a time of 6:16.2. The Varsity 8 was comprised of Tenley Barna (Jr), Riley Matsco (Jr), Roy Cromer (So), Tomas Mameniskis (So), Nick Iannarone (So), Matt Vanderslice (Jr), Kyle Chavers (Sr), Tomas Naujokaitis (So), and Tom Weiland (Sr).

The men's varsity second and third varsity 8's had similar performances to that of the varsity, also placing third to the eventual winner Holy Cross in both of those races. The Second Varsity 8 was comprised of Ashley Grim (So), Dan Halsig (So), Rob McCabe (Sr), Dave Gilbert (Sr), Chris Verlinden (Jr), Andrew Norberg (Jr), Andrew Haley (So), Tenor Galambush (Jr), and Steve Fainer (So) while the Third Varsity included Katie McCaffrey (So), Matt Poore (Jr), Bryan Kelly (So), Blake Leedy (Sr), Chris Wildhagen (So), Evan Steckle (Fr), Nick Paparis (So), Sven Johnson (Fr), and Jadus Hay (Jr).

In the most exciting race of the day, the men's first novice 8, comprised almost entirely of walk-ons, posted an impressive race in its season opener taking the early lead on Holy Cross off the line to begin the 2000m battle. The two crews were never separated by more than 6 seats the entire way down the course, matching rating shifts and moves until Holy Cross was able to take their only lead of the race in the last 10 strokes finishing in time of 6:21.5, just 0.7 seconds ahead of the Bears. The Novice 8 included Andrew Slater (Fr), Kristopher Kesting (Fr), James Heuser (Fr), Sam Merritt (Fr), Philip Constantine (Fr), Daniel Swaim (Fr), Thomas Olsen (Fr), Chris O' Brien (Fr), and Joe DiRenzo (Fr).

The Bears host Trinity College this Saturday morning, April 7, on the Thames.