GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart rowing team won the varsity eight, novice eight, and novice four races in the annual HWS Challenge on the Canal today. The Statesmen took second place in the day's other two races, the second varsity eight and the varsity four.

Reynaldo Kelly, Max Swagler, Francis Craig, Jack Trimble, Matt Scanlon, Andrew Fosbrook, Carmen Cimini, Harold Zurakowski, and David Grossman powered the Hobart varsity eight down the Seneca-Cayuga Canal in 15 minutes, 15 seconds, 37 seconds ahead of second place RIT. Ithaca was third followed by Clarkson.

The novice four of Wesley Davis, Reid Johnson, Will Sutherland, Matt Hubbard, and Coty Burgess posted the Statesmen's largest margin of victory on the day, topping Ithaca by 1:55 (18:11-20:06).

Sarah Tanzer, Johnson, Sutherland, Rob Nanovsky, Eric Ohnmacht, Spencer McCormick, Stuart Flynn, Hubbard, and Burgess piloted the novice eight to victory in 17:15. Ithaca was second (17:44) followed by Hobart's second novice eight (18:18).

The second place finishes by the Statesmen were by the slimmest of margins.

The Hobart varsity four was only four seconds behind Ithaca's second varsity four. Ithaca's varsity four was third, followed by a boat of Hobart alumni, Geneseo, Hobart's second varsity four, Clarkson's second varsity four, and the Golden Knight's varsity four.

The Hobart second varsity eight finished just five seconds behind RIT, but ahead of Ithaca and a Hobart alumni entry.

"The varsity eight rowed a very strong race today," Hobart Head Coach Mike Alton said. "It is a good stepping off point for our fall season.

"The novice eight also had a very good race, and I'm looking forward to our progression through out the season."

Hobart is back on the water on Oct. 11, when the Statesmen compete in the Head of the Genesee.