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 The GW Women's Varsity Eight could not catch No. 14 Cornell Saturday in New York. |
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Women's Rowing Falls at No. 14 Cornell
March 31, 2003
ITHACA, NY - The women's crews traveled to Ithaca, NY for the start of their 2003 spring campaign. This would be the sixth time that the Colonials have faced off against the Big Red of Cornell (who finished last year ranked 14th in the nation). The GW women held a 3-2 advantage in the series between varsity eights. Based on their strong results last year, and through the fall, Cornell was the clear favorite.
The weather would prove to be somewhat of a factor, as it provided for very fast times in the early races. However, during the final race of the day, the varsity eight, it would abruptly shift, creating a strong headwind and challenging rowing conditions. A slight rain fell throughout the day, but the warm temperatures made the day bearable for all those not lucky enough to be racing.
For the first three races of the day (Novice, Second Novice, and Second Varsity Eights), the results were very similar. The bigger, stronger, and more experienced Cornell crews would jump off the line and slowly build their advantage down the course. Although the GW crews put up valiant efforts, they were not able to match Cornell's power and ability. However, in the final race of the day, the GW Varsity was determined to change all that.
During the first five strokes of the race, Cornell jumped out to a quick two-to-three seat advantage. However, as the two crews proceeded through their high strokes and into their race cadence, GW moved back even with Cornell. Cornell immediately took a move after their settle to regain a seat advantage which they carried to the 500-meter mark. Finding themselves in a dogfight, Cornell again made a move as they passed through the 500-meter mark trying to put away the pesky GW crew. The move gained them a few more seats, but as soon as they finished their move, GW responded with a move of their own. The solid rhythm set by stern pair Tracy Kusnir (Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell) and Molly Hueller (Stillwater, MN/Stillwater Area), would have the GW crew cutting back into the Cornell lead.
The two crews reached the 1,000-meter mark with Cornell with a slight lead before a gust of wind suddenly hit both crews head on. The rowers in both crews worked to control their blades into the stiff wind while the coxswains worked to regain composure of their crews. Cornell was able to regain their rhythm first and sensed the GW crew was vulnerable. So the Cornell crew made a strong move while the GW women tried to get back the rythm which had kept them in the race so far. The move proved very successful. Cornell had moved out to an eight-seat advantage and that would prove to be the key point in the race. GW wouldn't go away, however, as they moved sprinted over the final 500 meters under the direction of coxswain Liz Bissinger (Staatsburg, NY/Roosevelt). The Colonials gained on the Cornell crew and, with 250 meters left, GW was within striking distance of Cornell. As the finish line approached, the Big Red was able to regroup and began a sprint of their own. Cornell moved back out on the crew from GW, finishing open water ahead of the GW varsity.
RESULTS:
Varsity Eight
1. Cornell 7: 26.2
2. GW 7:32.41
Second Varsity Eight,
1. Cornell 'A' 6:41.2
2. Cornell 'B' 6:48.72
3. GW 7:01.97
Novice Eight
1. Cornell 6:51.2
2. GW 7:19.58
Second Novice Eight
1. Cornell 7:02.4
2. GW 7:25.48
Although the results did not favor GW, both GW Women's Novice Coach Helen Betancourt and GW Women's Varsity Coach Steve Peterson were pleased with various aspects of the crews' performances.
"Cornell went to the NCAA Championships last year, and has some very good crews," Peterson said. "Our crews really battled with them all the way down the course and never gave up. Obviously, we have to keep making improvements, but the performances showed promise, especially the varsity eight."
Next up for the GW women is a trip to Boston, MA, on April 5th. That morning, they will compete with Boston University and Navy for the Playfair Cup. Later that day, GW will take on the crews from MIT and cross-town rival Georgetown. For more information about race times, or directions, contact the crew office at (202) 994-8603, or via email at either gwcrew@gwu.edu or crewalum@gwu.edu.
For complete results visit the row2k website at: http://row2k.com
