The Canisius College rowing team took to the water for the first time this spring season, trading in their indoor rowing machines for the familiar oar and
shell.
"We have been making terrific gains indoors on the ergometers on
campus and in the rowing tanks in our second home at the West Side
Rowing Club, but we were all excited to start applying the lessons today
on the water," said head coach Joel Furtek. "We have much more training to do
indoors, but the chance to row over this long weekend is a great
reminder of why we're putting in all those meters indoors. With just
four weeks until racing season, the motivation is stronger than ever."
For the spring season, the Golden Griffins return 11 rowers from last year's team that finished tied for fifth at the MAAC Rowing Championship at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J.
In the fall season, the Griffs welcomed nine experienced rowers to their squad to go along with their returnees. The Griffs competed in a pair of head-to-head races against the University
at Buffalo and D'Youville. At the University at Buffalo,
the varsity eight came in third with the second varsity eight finishing
seventh overall. In the team's home meet at the Frank Lloyd Wright's
Fontana Boathouse against D'Youville, the Griffs swept the top-two
spots.
Competing in the Challenge on
the Canal and The Head of the Genesee, the varsity eight
captured top-five finishes in both races. At the Challenge on the Canal,
the Griffs finished second behind reigning Liberty League champion William Smith. Making their second appearance at The Head of the Genesee, the Griffs competed against a deep field in the open varsity eight race, which included Syracuse, the
University at Buffalo, Cornell, and Duquesne.
The Golden Griffins begin their spring season on March 16 at the
Jesuit Invitational along the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.
