UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
KINGS POINT ROWING
Head of the Charles Regatta– The Fall Rowing Classic
October 18-19, 2008 - Regatta Results


VARSITY MEN’S FOUR PLACES 3rd IN THE NATION AMONGST DIII CREWS


CAMBRIDGE – The Kings Point Varsity Men’s four-man crew continued its successful ways as it finished 6th overall in the Head of the Charles Regatta and 3rd overall amongst the top Division III institutions in the nation.
The Head of the Charles Regatta is the largest rowing event in the world. In this years forty-third running of the regatta, 19 countries were represented by 8,500 competitors and cheered on by nearly 300,000 spectators. College crews travel to Cambridge from forty states in the nation to determine the fall champions. Each of the four Kings Point crews met stiff competition as they raced in categories that included crews from Division I, II, and III.
The crew of Coxswain Romulus Cirone ‘10, Stroke Bradford Webster ’09, 3- Erik Henden ‘09, 2-Steven Jones ‘10 and Bowman Mike Stocko ’10 set a strong pace through the early stages of the race when it was fighting for the lead. In a repeat of last year’s competition, the top three crews destroyed the previous race record by nearly a half minute as the conditions of fast tailwinds were ideal for setting new records.
Despite rowing a nearly flawless race the crew still just short of winning a medal as they did last year. Division I Michigan completed the three miles in 16:26 to capture first. Kings Point’s time of 17:12 is a best-ever fastest time for Kings Point at this Fall Championship. Based on last years performance, Kings Point started in the 2nd spot and although no crews passed them, some of the crews in the middle of the pack were able to post faster times.
Finishing 30th in the same event was the crew of Coxswain Robert Kaldenbach, Stoke - Norman Hilliard ’12, 3 - Adam Kroupa ’12, 2 – Russell Marihugh ’10, Bow – Luis Achurra ’12. Under the skillful direction of Kaldenbach, the crew of mostly of Novice Plebes carved its way to their best time of the season and a fine performance amongst the best competition in the nation. The crew completed the three mile course in 20:06.
Another fine performance was recorded by the Men’s Varsity Eight as Kings Point entered the Collegiate Men’s Eight event for just the second time. Lead by the motivating voice and fine steering of Coxswain Jonathan Gardner, the crew rowed its way through the five bridges and hairpin turns while holding off crews that nipped at its stern. The crew of Coxswain Jonathan Gardner ’11, Stroke- James Sanwald ’11, 7- Sam Diedrick ‘10, 6- Frank Osborne ’12, 5- Drew Ruff ‘12, 4-Patrick Waller ‘12, 3-Connan Ingham ‘12, 2- Thomas ‘Grey’ Gambill ‘12, and Bow - Jeremy Tunstall ’10 clocked a 17:00 and finishing 34th amongst the best 38 teams in the country. Coach Hartwick seemed pleased with the crew’s performance. “They are a young crew with five plebes and three of those having just learned how to row this fall. They rowed a gutsy race and it was the best race of their season. I believe they have tremendous potential for the future.”


The Varsity Women’s Four had their fastest race of the fall season in the Collegiate Four race. The crew of Coxswain William Walls ’12, Stroke – Anna Simons ‘12, 3- Kacey Rohloff ‘12, 2- Ali Anderson ‘12, and Bow – Jessica Willey ‘12, finished 30th of 34 crews overall. The crew’s time of 21:50 was the second best time the Kings Point Women’s team for this 3 mile race course. The crew has had a terrific season with strong performances in many of the local fall competitions. “They are a young crew with all five crew members having just started rowing this fall; they are going to do great in the coming years” commented coach Hartwick.


Regatta Results Online:
http://www.hocr.org/results/results.asp

Regatta video:
http://www.nesports.tv/archive.php

2008 Head Of The Charles, Day 1
(USMMA Men’s Four First four @ 3:34, 2nd four @3:42, Women’s four @3:53)
2008 Head Of The Charles, Day 2
(USMMA Men’s Eight @ 4:42)