NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- The Fairfield University rowing teams opened the 2016 spring season at the Iona Invitationa with the men's varisty eight leading the way by sweeping the top two places in its race.
The varsity A won the event with a time of 7:29.0 thanks to the strong showing by coxswain Kara Reese, Gregory Coppola, Mark Soldatic, George Bellos, John O'Neill, John Imor, James Mulhall, Luke Melcher, and Herbie Marache . The varsity B captured third place in a time of 7:48.5, courtesy of coxswain Matt Marshall, Alexander Nowicki, James Laviolette, Michael Giuliana, John Cervone, Jack Carty, Alan Colombie, Mike Clarkson, and Patrick Mills.
The men's varsity four also enjoyed a good day on the water taking first and third against two Iona entries. The varsity A secured first place by crossing the finish line in 7:29.6, the only shell to finish with a time below the eight-minute mark. The boat included coxswain Olivia Vita, Casey Fuller, Will Quentin, Jack Santoro, and Travis Day. The varsity B collected third by crossing the line in 8:23.7, a boat comprised by coxswain Tim Valente, John Imor, David Bogdan, Jordan Greco, and Charles Cooper.
The women's varsity 4 featured two entries from the Stags with the varsity A securing second place (5:42.6) and varsity B collecting sixth place (6:45.2). The Stags' A crew consisted of coxswain Nicole Karwashan, Liz Franger, Maria Levano, Amanda Murphy, and Casey Bowler. The B boat was comprised of coxswain Liz Bouregy, Katie Santo, Rachel Sansone, Megan Dobensky, and Rebecca King.
In the women's second varsity 8, the Fairfield B crew finished second with a time of 8:15.8, while the Fairfield A crew took third with a time of 8:27.5. The B boat was comprised of coxswain Victoria Marano, Lina Foncello, Ani Dennen, Tina Chalastra, Allison Sloan, Maggie O'Donnell, Natalie Scotto, Julia Mackie, and Maggie Garvey. The A entry included coxswain Sara Nardi, Sarah Bucklen, Kerry Clarke, Julia Smith, Cat Clough, Colleen Sheridan, Shelley Wilson, Amber Bagdonas, and Kelsey Carthew.
The women's varsity 8 also competed at the Invitational. Coxswain Katie Clark, Megan DiBello, Nolan Campbell, Chloe Scherpa, Eileen Keenan, Melissa Iannucci, Danielle McKenna, Amanda McKenna, and Leanne Anderson rowed the varsity 8 race with a time of 8:32.7, second to Marist's top time of 8:03.0.
