WORCESTER, Mass. — The Hobart College rowing team captured three gold medals at the National Invitational Rowing Championships on Lake Quinsigamond today. The Statesmen No. 18 third varsity eight repeated its gold medal performance from last season, bringing home its third consecutive gold medal. The No. 19 second varsity eight and the No. 22 varsity eight brought home gold medals in their respective events.
 
"We've spent the last 364 days building towards today's performance," said Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen. "To win one championship is hard enough, but to win all three major championships is a truly incredible accomplishment for all the men and women on the team."
 
Since 2013, the Statesmen have won 21 medals at the NIRC regatta, ten gold, seven silver, and four bronze.
 
All three boats had to qualify for the afternoon finals by competing in morning heats.
 
The 3V was first on the water for Hobart. The Statesmen were the second seed behind No. 21 Marist, slotted into the second heat in Lane 1. Hobart raced against Bates College, Tufts, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and two boats from Michigan. The Statesmen powered down the course and won the heat, posting a time of 6:19.677. The Wolverines crossed the line second and the Bobcats were third, joining Hobart in the grand final.
 
In the afternoon's grand final, Hobart competed against Boston College, Michigan, Marist, Williams, and Bates College. The Statesmen third varsity eight of Stephen Ponticiello, Miles Cornman, Alex Sickmueller, Parker Cornman, Steven Ives, Anthony Carella, David Pratt, Aidan Spencer, and Nate Jacon finished first with a time 6:13.064, edging Boston College by .108 seconds. The Wolverines finished third, three seconds back. The medal was Hobart's third consecutive gold medal and seventh-straight medal in the third varsity eight.
 
"After each boat won their heat, everyone on the team could feel the energy building and the 3V really got the fire burning with their come from behind win on the last stroke of the race," said Bugenhagen.
 
The 2V was next on the water for Hobart. The Statesmen were the top seed and slotted into the first heat in Lane 1. Hobart raced against Williams, Ithaca, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Trinity. The Statesmen won the heat, posting a time of 6:11.144. The Ephs crossed the line second and the Bombers were third, joining Hobart in the grand final.
 
In the afternoon's grand final, Hobart competed against Michigan, Bates, Boston College, Williams, and Marist. Bart Voto, Cameron Kumagai, Wyatt Hathaway, Blake Evans, Lukian Maratovic, Zachary Berzon, Randall Hooper, David Ranney, and Michael Canino propelled the Statesmen down the course finishing first, recording a time of 6:07.617. The Wolverines finished second, 4.4 seconds behind Hobart. The Bobcats were third. Today's gold medal was Hobart's sixth overall medal at the championship.
 
"The 2V added jet fuel to the fire we were building when they were completely dominant in the middle of the race, securing an open water win," said Bugenhagen,
 
The Statesmen's varsity eight was the top seed headed into the regatta and slotted into the first heat in Lane 1. In the morning heat, Hobart raced against Trinity, Williams, Worcester and the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Statesmen secured a spot in the grand final with a winning time of 6:01.034. The Bantams crossed the line second to join Hobart in the grand final.
 
In the grand final, Greg Narzikul, Carter Weitekamp, Moritz Marchart, Jackson Baney, Patrick Overton, Martin Roeck, Alberto Wray, Andrew Krimmel and Henry Vachon competed against Michigan, Marist, Bates, Boston College and Trinity. The Statesmen surged down the course, crossing the line first with a time of 6:00.049. The Wolverines crossed the course 1.232 seconds behind Hobart. The Red Foxes finished third.
 
"With seven of nine guys returning from last year's varsity eight, today's championship was both personal redemption and collective affirmation for their year-long attack on today's grand final," said Bugenhagen.
 
With the three wins, Hobart secured an automatic bid to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships in Sacramento May, 31.