Franklin Pierce Rowing Competes PEMBROKE, N.H. (October 16, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce men’s and women’s rowing teams turned in strong results at the New Hampshire Championships Regatta on the Merrimack River this weekend. Franklin Pierce took a gold medal in the women’s open four event (18 teams), completing the three-mile course in 19:00.00, defeating Simmons College (19:03.00) and Bowdoin College (19:43:00). Rowing for the Ravens were senior Meagan Gross (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) at stroke, sophomore Brooke Oliverson (Westport, Conn./Hyde School) in the two-seat, senior Elizabeth Ward (Washingtonville, N.Y./Washingtonville) in the three-seat and freshman Nina Desimone (Newton, Mass./Newton North) in the bow, with freshman Vanessa Emerich (Kearney, N.Y./Kearney) as the coxswain. “The shear strength in this group is almost unbelievable,” said third-year head coach Doug Connelly. “They harnessed that power well, making their boat absolutely fly down the race course.”
The gold medals were the second in the careers of Gross and Ward, who were also part of a first-place four at the Knecht Cup, in Philadelphia, in 2005. The women’s varsity eight also turned in a strong showing with a seventh-place finish in the 23-team open event. The Ravens completed the three-mile course in 16:51.00, while the University of Vermont won the event with a time of 16:22.00. Franklin Pierce finished ahead of crews from Bowdoin (17:03), Tufts University (17:05) and Bates College (17:07). Rowing for the Ravens were Gross at stroke, Desimone in the two-seat, Ward in the three-seat, Oliverson at four-seat, junior Gwenn Curtis (Falls Village, Conn./Housatonic Valley) at five-seat, senior Amanda Ege (Levittown, Pa./Harry S. Truman) at six-seat, junior Kate Surgen (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire Regional) in the seven-seat and sophomore Cassie Ela (Lancaster, Mass./Nashoba Regional) in the bow, with sophomore coxswain Vanessa Leon (Lenox, Mass./Lenox). “The open eights are the fastest boats on the water with the best rowers from each team,” said Connelly. “Our women are pushing their way into the top tier of boats, with Vermont and Holy Cross leading the way. We will work to close the gap all season.” The Franklin Pierce men’s crews also showed steady improvement, led by a tenth-place finish in the men’s open four event. The Ravens completed the three-mile course in 17:08.00, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology won the 26-team event with a time of 16:00.00. Franklin Pierce finished ahead of crews from Bowdoin (17:15), University of Massachusetts (17:16) and Boston College (17:23). Rowing for the Ravens were sophomore Josh Marker (Lockport, N.Y./St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute) at stroke, senior Rich Connell (Billerica, Mass./Billerica Memorial) in the two-seat, junior William Eroh (Meridan, Conn./Lyman Hall) at three-seat and senior Justin Watson (Middletown, Conn./Middletown) in the bow, with junior Brittany Bonesteel (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) as the coxswain. “These guys have been pulling like animals everytime we get in the four,” said Connelly. “This boat did not compete at the Textile Regatta two weeks ago, so they were eager to get their first shot at other competitive fours. We will focus on catching fourth-place finisher UMass Lowell, who we will see in a head-to-head race in two weeks.” The men’s varsity eight placed 18th among 27 crews in the open event, completing the three-mile course in 16:23. College of the Holy Cross won the event with a time of 14:59, while Franklin Pierce came in ahead of crews from Bates (16:28), Tufts (16:32) and Vermont (16:39). Rowing for the Ravens were Marker at stroke, sophomore John Spence (West Palm Beach, Fla./Suncoast) in the two-seat, freshman Brett DiCresenzo (Westmont, N.J./Camden Catholic) in the three-seat, Connell at four-seat, Eroh at five-seat, freshman Ryan Schmitt (Harwington, Conn./The Gunnery School) at six-seat, freshman Isaac Breton (Oakland, Maine/Messalonskee) in the seven-seat and Watson at bow, with freshman Jessica Ward (Arlington, Va./Washington-Lee) as the coxswain. “This was solid from where the eight was a year ago,” said Connelly. “They have much more speed to find by spring.” Also of note was a bronze medal won by Franklin Pierce in the women’s novice four event. The Ravens posted a time of 19:30, finishing behind novice crews from Bowdoin (18:15) and Lesley University (18:53). The all-freshman crew for the Ravens were Catalina Reed (Pembroke, Mass./Sacred Heart) at stroke, Erika Wadman (Yarmouth Port, Mass./Northwood School) at two-seat, Ashley Emmons (Andover, Mass./Andover) in the three-seat and Kristen Sheridan (Auburn, N.H./Manchester Memorial) in the bow, with coxswain Vanessa Emerich (Kearney, N.J./Kearney). Connelly placed sixth (out of 11 rowers) in the men’s open singles event with a time of 19:07. Franklin Pierce is back in action on Sunday when the men’s and women’s varsity eights compete at the 42nd Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. |
