SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The eighth-ranked William Smith rowing team was back on the water yesterday competing at the New York State Championships on Fish Creek. The Herons captured two medals, winning a silver in the second varsity eight and a bronze in the third varsity eight.
 
William Smith competed against the best teams in New York, including competitors from both Division I. Top-ranked Bates and seventh-ranked Smith also competed at the regatta. Rowers were met with a slight headwind and mostly flat conditions except for a burst of unpredictable rain on the 2,000-meter Fish Creek course.
 
 
VARSITY EIGHT

• The Herons' 1V was powered by Ava Lee, Meghan Bartholomay, Linnea Darius, Kate Abdalla, Leah Wiebe, Cheyenne Muldowney, Grace Jung, Alayna Wian and Olivia Sainsbury.
• In the heats, William Smith's varsity eight raced against Syracuse, Smith, Vassar and RIT. The Herons finished second after a strong battle with all four crews.
• The Herons stopped the clock at 7:33.004, just over 10 seconds behind the Orange. Finishing first and second, William Smith and Syracuse progressed to the grand final.
• In the afternoon, the Herons' 1V took on the course once more against Colgate, Syracuse, Bates, Ithaca, and Marist. Finishing in sixth, the 1V persistently gave it their all and only lost to the Red Foxes by two seconds.
• In the final, William Smith posted a time of 7:12.481.

 
 
SECOND VARSITY EIGHT

• William Smith's 2V was driven by Lizzy Whitney, Aubrianna Ryan, Syd Morrison, Olivia Helms, Lily Liflander, Nora Smith, Raya Schwartz, Emily Clark, and Lily Keefe.
• In the heats, the Herons pulled away from Colgate, Canisus, and Army down the stretch. It was a close race with both Colgate and Canisius, but the Herons crossed the line first with a time of 7:54.300, two seconds ahead of  the Raiders. William Smith and Colgate progressed to the grand final.
• The 2V's final in the afternoon was also a tight race. The field was separated by just 17 seconds. The Herons placed fourth overall, edging out Ithaca College and Colgate with a time of 7:29.25.
• William Smith was awarded silver medals as the second place team among all New York State schools.

 
THIRD VARSITY EIGHT

• The Heron's 3V was comprised of Michaela Greco, Ainsley Kimball, Anna Pedone, Alessandra Gialanella, Janeciah Cunningham, Mariee Voss, Dani Krenzer, and Madeline Wasner.
• Rowing in a finals only format, the William Smith third varsity eight placed third, crossing the line with a time of 7:51.393. Racing in a downpour of rain against two boats from Smith and one from Bates, the 3V won bronze medals.

 
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Today was a great day for the Herons," says Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen. "It was a classic spring race with variable weather - rain for the 3V on their way to a medal winning performance followed by sun and perfect water for the 1V and 2V. This regatta is an excellent test as we get to race with Division 1 teams across New York and with our Division 3 rivals in state and from New England. This was the perfect environment for the ambition of this team to fully reveal itself in a championship race format with results from the various heats leading into very competitive grand finals."
 
Bugenhagen added, "It was especially rewarding to place medals around the necks of our women in the 3V and 2V. These were the first medals for William Smith athletes since 2013 at this event! The quality our crews raced with today sets us up well for our final preparations for the Liberty League Championship in two weeks.We're fired up and ready to attack the next two weeks of training!"
 
UP NEXT
William Smith will be back in action Friday, May 2, when it heads back to Saratoga for the Liberty League Championships.