Coming off strong showings at early season regattas, the Rensselaer men’s and women’s crew teams competed against UCAA rival Union College on October 12.
The Red Hawk men’s and women’s varsity boats bested their competition over the 4.5 mile course.
The men’s crew comprised of Robert Kovach, Robert Iuliano, Andrew Morrison, Nicholas Applegate, Don Chao, Corey Lowe, David Danko, Christopher Wallace, and Salvatore Zinno took a strong lead off the start and settled into a comfortable rhythm. Men’s Co-Captain Andrew Morrison said, “We were waiting for them to come back at us. We thought that they were holding back for the last half of the race. With about a mile left we realized that they had just been holding on. At that point we made a decisive move for the finish line.”
In the women’s event, Union College took an early lead and looked poised to dominate the race. Coach Rutecki said, “Our crew was a little less than a length down after about 500 meters. I have to tell you, this was one of the most impressive moves I’ve ever seen. The entire disposition of that boat changed—they just looked mean. I saw Liz [Motabana] look over at the Union boat. After the next stroke, they were on a mission.”
The Red Hawk women, comprised of Chip Boyd, Elizabeth Montabana, Amanda Smith, Keri Kiernan, Margaret McLellan, Jeanine Thompson, Kelly Borst, Elizabeth Widmeyer, and Laura Pisterzi, jumped out to a two length lead over the next 1,000 meters. Union staged attacks midway though the race and as both crews entered the final mile. Each time the Dutchwomen fell short. RPI stayed aggressive and powered through the last 500 meters to more than a 20 second victory.
The men’s crew travels to Boston on October 19-20 to compete in the world’s largest regatta, the Head of the Charles. All crews will compete at the Head of the Fish Regatta on October 26.
