SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-For the 13th consecutive year, the Liberty League Men's Rowing Championship plaque will return to Bristol Gym. Hobart won gold medals in the varsity and second varsity eights on its way to capturing the conference championship.
 
The men's championship was decided using a points system based on the finish of the varsity eight and second varsity eight boats. The Statesmen claimed the crown with first place finishes in both races. Hobart finished the day with a total of 37 points, Union was second with 27 points.
 
Conditions on the Fish Creek Course were warm and humid with a constant threat of thunderstorms and a tornado warning hanging over the regatta. The resulting headwind was stiff and made for less than ideal conditions.
 
The second varsity eight of Bart Voto, Remington McGuire, Wyatt Hathaway, David Ranney, Ishan Dirks, Andrew Krimmel, Lukian Maratovic, Miles Cornman, and Randall Hooper turned in a dominating performance, producing a 26 second victory. The Statesmen powered down the 2,000-meter course with a time of 6:48.300.
 
"The 2V lineup was dominant getting off to a powerful start," Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen said. "They created a margin right from the start that kept growing as they went down the course. The guys focused on length and power in the headwind, racing at a stroke rate in the low 30s."
 
Entering today's championship, the varsity eight had been contested 13 times with the Hobart varsity eight claiming gold medals 13 times. This afternoon, Greg Narzikul, Carter Weitekamp, Patrick Overton, Ben Robinson, Harrison Luce, Sam Ash, Dilan Bower, Alberto Wray, and Anthony Giovenelli extended the streak to 14 with a gold medal on Fish Creek. The Statesmen stopped the clock with a time of 6:49.200. Ithaca crossed the line second, 3.916 back. 
 
Hobart caught a crab in the first 200-meteres and came to a full stop. The seniors rowing in the boat used their experience and toughness to refocus the crew. The middle 1000 of the race saw a relentless effort from the Statesmen that helped them retake the lead. Hobart crossed the line with open water over Ithaca.
 
"It wasn't the race we expected," Bugenhagen said. "They got the job done and we're grateful to be leaving the regatta as Liberty League Champions. We appreciate the opportunity to represent the league as champions for one more year."
 
Hobart will continue its championship season next Friday, May 11, when it travels to Worcester, Mass., for the National Invitational Rowing Championships.