CLINTON, N.Y.- The eighth-ranked William Smith College rowing team competed in a double dual hosted by Hamilton College on the Erie Canal today. The Herons raced against fifth-ranked Smith and 11th ranked Rochester Institute of Technology.
 
Racing in a tailwind, the varsity eight of sophomore Susan Hurwitz, sophomore Molly Dexter, sophomore Taryn Wenberg, first-year Annie Wertheimer, sophomore Sarah Laferrera, sophomore Julia Walters, junior Anna Moreau, sophomore Emma Falkenstein, and senior Lizzy Houston took on the Pioneers in the morning heats. The Herons kept the race close for the opening 1500 meters, but lost ground in the final 500 meters when Smith called for a power shift. William Smith crossed the line with a time of 6:46.56, just under six seconds behind the Pioneers.
 
The second varsity eight of junior Elisabeth Rowedder, junior Tori Malamas, junior Emma Lubrano, sophomore Alexandra Deku, first-year Emma Bilton, first-year Scott McClearn, senior Tatiana Loftus, junior Catherine DiCara, and senior Tori Wissa also took on Smith in its morning race. The Pioneers won, traversing the 2000 meter course with a time of 7:01.33.  The Herons crossed the line 18 seconds later.
 
Both boats progressed to the petite finals where they were paired with Liberty League opponent RIT. Hurwitz, Dexter, Wenberg, Wertheimer, Laferrera, Walters, Moreau, Falkenstein, and Houston powered William Smith's varsity eight to a 10 second victory over the Tigers. The Herons stopped the clock with a time of 6:51.57. RIT won the second varsity eight race, posting a time of 7:17.93.
 
The varsity four closed out the day's racing. Hannah Baron, Gillian Casserly, Madelaine Hamilton, Freya Birkas-Dent, and Hannah Bilton finished in third, crossing the line with a time of 8:24.76. The host, Hamilton, won and Smith finished second.
 
"Neither of the varsity eight boats had a good opening race," Head Coach Sandra Chu said. "In the afternoon, both boats were able to make significant changes to their race execution. The 2V demonstrated an improved patience with the stroke rate and were able to commit to power underneath the seat. The 1V had much more tactical control and were able to lengthen out."
 
William Smith will be back in action next weekend, April 20-21, when it heads to Worcester, Mass.