All Three Boats Post Victories in Day One of the George Washington Invitational

Friday, April 11

Washington, D.C.

All Day

Syracuse University

George Washington Invitational - Ten Eyck Cup (Rutgers)

All Three Boats Post Victories in Day One of the George Washington Invitational

4/11/2008 8:05:08 PM | Men's Rowing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Syracuse men’s crew squad posted three victories in the first day of the George Washington Invitational defeating Virginia in the freshman eight (06:04.0) and second varsity eight (06:04.8) and Michigan in the second freshman eight (06:22.8).

“I thought freshman boats handled their first race really well,” said freshman coach and recruiting coordinator Dave Weiss. “Obviously we still have a lot to work on but we’ll take any win we can get and today was a great start.”

The event is part of the 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place from March 29 to April 13. The event is the largest collegiate rowing competition in the Washington metropolitan area. The 2,000-meter, four-lane buoyed course begins near the Spout Run area of the Potomac River with the finish line at Washington Harbor in Georgetown. An awards ceremony will follow the competition Saturday at approximately 6 p.m. at Washington Harbor.

The second varsity eight boat was comprised of Jack Mutty (coxswain), Mike McHarris (stroke), Clai White (7 seat), Noah Chase (6 seat), Pete Kruse (5 seat), Ryan Knapp (4 seat), Ryan Planer (3 seat), Cam Mackenzie (2 seat) and Mark Vyzas (bow). Virginia posted a time of 6:31.8.

The freshman eight boat was made of Kenny Marfilius (coxswain), Mike Gennaro (stroke), Vice Berry (7 seat), Dan Turner (6 seat), Dan Berry (5 seat), Matt Hopek (4 seat), Kyle Daugherty (3 seat), Chip Keyes (2 seat) and Julian Morrison (bow). Virginia trailed Syracuse with a time of 6:23.9.

The second freshman eight boat was comprised of Emily Leister (coxswain), Kevin Beargie (stroke), Gerald McNeil (7 seat), Morgan Nowak (6 seat), Peter Themistocles (5 seat), Paul DeNicola (4 seat), Arnes Hadzik (3 seat), Tim Daigle (2 seat) and Matt Sisk (bow). Michigan finished with a time of 6:58.7.

The Orange returns to action tomorrow at day two of the George Washington Invitational, racing in nine events including the Ten Eyck Cup.

This will be the 22nd running of the Ten Eyck Cup. Syracuse will try for a three-peat for the first time since 2001-02, which was the end of six-straight wins for the Orange. The Ten Eyck Cup is named after Ned Hanlon Ten Eyck, the son of former SU coach James A. Ten Eyck. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Syracuse-Rutgers annual race. Ned coached at Rutgers and Syracuse and was also a national champion sculler.

Syracuse won the first Ten Eyck Cup in 1987 and Rutgers won claimed the trophy for the first time the following year. The remainder of the series came in streaks as Syracuse won the next four years, followed by four-consecutive wins by Rutgers. The Orange then claimed six-straight victories over the Scarlet Knights from 1997-2002. Rutgers had won the last three races before Syracuse’s win in 2005-06.

Saturday, April 12 Schedule

2nd Freshman Eight vs. Navy – 10:21 a.m.

Freshman Eight vs. Rutgers & George Washington – 11 a.m.

2nd Varsity Eight vs. George Washington – 11:27 a.m.

Varsity Eight vs. Rutgers & George Washington – 11:54 a.m. – Ten Eyck Cup

Freshman Four(A) vs. Michigan(A) & George Washington(A) – 3:18 p.m.

Freshman Four(B) vs. Michigan (B) & Michigan (C) – 3:24 p.m.

Freshman Eight vs. Michigan & Georgetown – 4:06 p.m.

2nd Varsity Eight vs. Michigan & Georgetown – 4:33 p.m.

Varsity Eight vs. Michigan & Georgetown – 4:54 p.m.