Nov. 8, 2004

OAKDALE, L.I. - SHU Crew rowed its best regatta yet at the Dowling Alumni Cup on Sunday in Oakdale, Long Island. Eleven college and university crews competed in the 15th annual invitational regatta, rowing men and women's crews on a 1500-meter course in warm temperatures under a sunny sky.

Sacred Heart won third place overall in points with a women's contingent alone, while Fairfield U. and Dowling College took 1st and 2nd place respectively with combined points from both men and women's teams. Event medals were awarded for 1st place only.

Pioneers consistently placed first or second in their heats and finals, earning two gold medals; five seconds; one third; a fourth and a fifth.

Seniors Stacey Lyons (team co-captain) and Liz Cameron won gold dramatically in the women's pair event, finishing more than 8 lengths ahead of Dowling, Hofstra and Iona. This came on the heels of their disappointing third place finish in the same boat last weekend at the Head of the Fish Regatta in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Sacred Heart's powerful Novice 8+ battled Fairfield down the length of the course to finish just seconds behind their rival, both boats rowing well in front of the fleet with 100 meters of open water behind. Four of those athletes later placed second to Fairfield in the toughest Novice 4+ event, again far ahead of the other boats in the race.

In two other Novice 4+ categories (2nd; A, B) Pioneers won gold in the "A" and second in the "B." SHU boats placed second and fourth in the JV4+ race.

SHU's Varsity Openweight 4+ (Johnston, Cameron, Lyth and Nash with cox Cappozzoli), after finishing second in their heat, went on to a bronze finish in the final, holding off Fairfield but following closely behind Stony Brook and Dowling, and ultimately defeating seven boats in their bids that event.

Varsity Lightweight 4+ (seniors Lyons, Kolb, Daly and Humphrey with cox Nissen) took a close second to Fairfield in a tightly packed fleet, holding off Dowling, Iona and Manhattan College crews. Kolb left by ambulance immediately after the race when breathing difficulties during the final stretch of the race worsened to a point of concern, but she returned two hours later much recovered.

In the final event of the day, SHU's varsity eight fell slightly behind in the five boat race, with many athletes who had rowed twice already quite drained.

Cazenovia, Iona, Manhattan, Sarah Lawrence, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Maritime, NYU and Hofstra also fielded boats in most events, but often finished considerably behind the three overall point winners.

Many SHU Crew's parents came to cheer the athletes. Lauren Humphrey's father, Kent, remained invaluable in logistical support; Caitlin's Rousseau's mom and others provided ample refreshments to the crew throughout the day; and Kevin and Therese Nissen, Ashley's parents, hosted a lavish dinner at their home nearby after racing.