Ithaca Invite: Men’s Rowing Senior Day

Ithaca College Men’s Rowing Celebrates Senior Day with Strong Performances on Cayuga Inlet

Ithaca, N.Y. – April 6, 2024 – the Ithaca College Bombers men’s rowing team honored its graduating seniors on Saturday with a series of races against formidable opponents, including RIT, the University of Rochester, Marietta College, and top-ranked Williams College.

Weathering the Storm: Bombers Show Resilience on Senior Day

Despite facing challenging weather conditions and recent setbacks due to injuries and illness within the team, the Ithaca College men’s rowing team displayed remarkable resilience and determination on their Senior Day. The event, held on the Cayuga Inlet, provided a fitting stage for the Bombers to showcase their progress and honor their graduating seniors.

Head Coach Justin Stangel emphasized the team’s progress amidst adversity: “The team has shown progress this past week, with several athletes returning from injury and illness, bringing the squad closer to full strength. Despite ongoing weather challenges, the team has demonstrated resilience and determination, culminating in a successful day of racing. It was great to send the seniors off with their last race down the inlet and honor their four years here.”

varsity 8 Battles Top competition

the Varsity 8 crew faced a tough challenge, starting with a race against RIT. After a shaky start, the Bombers found their rhythm and maintained a strong pace. While RIT is expected to improve as the Liberty League championships approach, the Bombers’ performance demonstrated their competitive spirit. The second race saw them up against top-ranked Williams College. The Bombers started strong, holding their ground for the first half of the race. However,a slight dip in speed during the third quarter allowed Williams to gain an advantage,despite a strong final sprint from Ithaca. The Varsity 8 lineup included Caroline Grass, Rhys Pellaton, Andrew Cheely, Bryce Williston, Liam Baker, Andrew Coit, Tynan Fields, Marshall Adams, and Max Detzer.

Second Varsity 8 Secures Victory

The Second Varsity 8 delivered a standout performance, securing a pleasant victory against RIT by executing their race plan effectively. Although they maintained a good rhythm against Williams, they faced challenges in maintaining consistency compared to their earlier performance. the IC boat consisted of Miles Kenaston, Nico Greenberg, Griffin Hunt, Brennen Mone, Nolyn Boswell, Henry Hersperger, Brodie Hart, Ethan Revis and Liam Carnahan.

Varsity 4+ Crews Put Up a Fight

The Varsity 4+ crews also demonstrated their competitive edge.Varsity 4+ (A) faced off against RIT and Williams. Despite a gusty tailwind, they managed to stay ahead of RIT but were overtaken by Williams. The Varsity 4+ (B), despite limited practice time during the week, quickly found their cohesion and put up a fierce fight against Williams, narrowly missing victory.

Looking Ahead: Knecht Cup and Beyond

The Ithaca College men’s rowing team is now focused on preparing for the Knecht cup in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, scheduled for April 12 and 13. This event will provide another chance for the Bombers to test their skills against top-tier competition and further refine their performance as they progress through the season. Their participation in events like the Knecht cup is crucial for gaining experience and exposure on a national level, mirroring the experiences of many collegiate rowing programs across the U.S.

For U.S.readers, collegiate rowing is a gateway to elite competitions, including potential spots on the national team and participation in international events like the Olympics. The Knecht Cup, therefore, serves as an important platform for these athletes to showcase their talent and dedication.

Rewatch the Action

Fans can relive the excitement of Senior day by watching the race here.

Watch the full race day recap.

Detailed Results

For complete race results, please refer here.

What are your thoughts on Ithaca College’s performance? Share your comments and feedback below!

Interview: Head Coach Justin Stangel on Ithaca college Rowing’s Senior Day and Future Competitions

Archyde News – In an exclusive interview, Archyde News editor sat down with Ithaca College Men’s Rowing Head Coach Justin Stangel to discuss the team’s Senior Day performance and the upcoming Knecht Cup.

Senior Day Reflections: Overcoming Challenges

Archyde News: Coach stangel, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Senior Day is always a meaningful event. How would you summarize the team’s performance, especially considering the challenges with weather, injuries, and illnesses that you mentioned?

Justin Stangel: Thank you for having me. Senior Day was a testament to the resilience of our athletes. We faced some tough conditions and had some setbacks, but the team really stepped up. Seeing them honor their graduating seniors with such determination was incredibly rewarding. We are incredibly proud of their efforts.

Varsity 8’s Competitive Spirit

Archyde News: The Varsity 8 had a particularly challenging day,facing RIT and the top-ranked Williams College. Can you discuss the races and what you’re taking away from both?

Justin stangel: The Varsity 8 showed real grit. Against RIT, they found their rhythm after a slow start, which is encouraging. The race against Williams was a great test. We held our own for a significant portion, and despite a slight decrease in speed, the final sprint was notable. We know where we have to improve.

Second Varsity 8’s Strong Showing

Archyde News: We saw strong results from the Second Varsity 8, securing a win against RIT. Can you elaborate on their performance and what contributed to their success?

Justin Stangel: The Second Varsity 8 executed their race plan very well against RIT and found success doing so. While they were not as consistently strong against williams, that race still showed the potential within their crew and the importance of consistency as the season progresses.

Varsity 4+ crews Contribution

Archyde News: The Varsity 4+ crews also put up a good fight. Despite limited practice time, what was the impact of their performances?

Justin Stangel: The Varsity 4+ crews were equally impressive, especially given the limited training they had last week. The (A) boat pushed hard against Williams, and the (B) boat put up a strong fight despite the restricted practice, demonstrating great team unity and resolve.

Knecht Cup and Beyond: season’s Outlook

Archyde News: Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for the Knecht Cup. What are your expectations for the event, and how critically important is it to the team’s overall development?

Justin Stangel: The Knecht Cup is a vital step for us. It provides an opportunity to go up against top-tier competition,allowing us to refine our approach as we continue through the season. We are looking forward to building on the progress we made on Senior Day and finding more speed. These events are essential for experience and exposure on a national stage, which we know, are crucial for developing our athletes.

Future Aspirations and Collegiate Rowing

Archyde News: Collegiate rowing often serves as a stepping stone to larger events, including potentially the Olympics. How does the team cultivate these aspirations, and what roles can the Knecht Cup play?

Justin Stangel: Collegiate Rowing is absolutely a platform for bigger goals. We are focused on the process, development, and teamwork. The Knecht Cup, along with other key races, is a great launchpad for our athletes as they progress in their careers.

Concluding Thoughts

Archyde News: Coach Stangel, thank you again for your time and insights. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Justin stangel: Just that we are incredibly proud of the seniors and the entire team and that we are eager to see what we can achieve! We are grateful for the support from the Ithaca College community.

Reader Engagement

Archyde News: What are your thoughts on Ithaca College’s performance? Share your comments and feedback below!