WORCESTER, Mass.-The Hobart College rowing team captured three medals at the National Invitational Rowing Championships on Lake Quinsigamond today. The Statesmen third varsity eight repeated its gold medal performance from last season, bringing home its second consecutive gold medal. The second varsity eight grabbed a silver medal while the varsity eight brought home a bronze medal in their respective events.

With a first, second and third place finish, Hobart finished the weekend with 202 points and secured the men's overall points trophy.

"It was a fast regatta and each of our crews were racing for gold medals," Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen said. "In our pursuit to become one of the premier rowing programs in the country it's clear we have capable programs coming with us from New York and New England. The rivalries we are creating are fun and winning championships is a hard business."
 
Since 2013, the Statesmen have won 18 medals at the NIRC regatta, seven gold, seven silver, and four bronze.
 
Racing in a finals only format, the Statesmen third varsity eight of Stephen Ponticiello, Miles Cornman, Parker Cornman, Dilan Bower, Lukian Maratovic, David Pratt, Randall Hooper, Steven Bunce, and Tommy Hayes crossed the line first with a time 6:10.419. Boston College was second, three seconds back followed by Marist.
 
Racing was tight in the opening 500-meters with the Eagles edging their bow ball in front early. Hobart answered with a strong middle 1,000 to power past Boston College into the lead. The Statesmen pulled away to win the gold medal by a boat length over the Eagles. The medal was Hobart's second consecutive gold medal and sixth-straight medal in the third varsity eight.
 
Both the Statesmen's varsity and second varsity eight had to qualify for the afternoon finals by competing in morning heats. In the 2V race, the top three finishers in each heat progressed to the grand final while bottom three progressed to the petite final. In the 1V, the top two finishers progressed to the grand final, the next two to the petite final and the final boat competed in the third level final.
 
The 2V8 was first on the water for Hobart. As the three-time defending champions, the Statesmen were the top seed and slotted into the first heat in Lane 1. Hobart raced against Boston College, Tufts, Hamilton, Williams, and Rochester Institute of Technology. The Statesmen surged to the front of the field early and won the heat, posting a time of 5:56.838. The Eagles crossed the line second and the Jumbos were third, joining Hobart in the grand final.
 
In the afternoon's grand final, Hobart competed against Bates, Boston College, Trinity, Marist, and Tufts. Bart Voto, Remington McGuire, Kemal Turksonmez, Andrew Krimmel, Ben Robinson, Harrison Luce, Alberto Wray, Anthony Giovenelli, and Ishan Dirks powered the Statesmen to a second place finish, posting a time of 5:48.023. The Bobcats finished first 1.8 seconds ahead of Hobart. The Eagles were third. Bates shifted up its stroke rate in the second 1,000 meters to win the event.
Today's silver medal was Hobart's fifth overall medal at the championship.
 
Last year's gold medalists, the Statesmen's varsity eight was the top seed headed into the regatta. In the morning heat, Hobart was paired with Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Hamilton, Trinity and Colby. The Statesmen took control of the field early and secured a spot in the grand final with a winning time of 5:51.600. The Engineers crossed the line second to join Hobart in the grand final.
 
In the grand final, Greg Narzikul, Carter Weitekamp, Patrick Overton, Martin Roeck, Wyatt Hathaway, David Ranney, Sam Ash, Jackson Baney, and Henry Vachon competed against Bates, Marist, Boston College, Williams and WPI. The Bobcats, the Red Foxes and Hobart battled it out for the top three spots throughout the entire 2,000-meter course. Bates edged out in front down the stretch and held off a charging Marist boat to claim the gold medal. The Statesmen crossed the line third with a time of 5:43.680.
 
Hobart will now await a bid to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships. The field will be announced on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. For the first time in the 116-year history of the regatta the field will be announced via a selection show on locallive.tv.