M. & W. crew take second at Caspersen

The Hopkins men's and women's crew teams competed in the 16th annual Caspersen Cup Regatta this past Saturday in Baltimore. While the conditions were less than ideal, with a slight head wind and light rain, both teams placed well facing two other Maryland schools - Washington College and St. John's. The women's crew team finished second with 28 points, behind Washington College's 35 points. The men also finished in second place behind Washington with 28 points.

The Caspersan Cup has been a tradition since the start-up of Hopkins's crew program, facing off against Washington College and St. John's each year. Head Coach Steve Perry rowed at Washington College, so it is a significant race for the two teams. There was also an emotional aspect to this race in that this is the last year that Hopkins crew, which is being discontinued after this season, will be able to race at the Caspersen Cup.

The Blue Jays finished second in the women's Varsity Eight with a time of 7:40.85. In the Varsity Eight race, sophomore Beth Simmonds captained the boat as coxswain and senior Vanessa Damm sat stroke (rower who sits nearest to the coxswain who controls the boat). Senior Rebecca Williamson sat in the seven seat, with freshman Elizabeth Carr in the six seat and sophomore Pia Heilmann in the five seat. Junior Uejin Kim sat in the four seat, with senior Amelia Whitman in the three seat, senior Madison West in the two seat, and freshman Adali Martinez was in the bow.

In the Varsity Four the women also placed in second with a time of 8:22.72. Simmonds served as the coxswain and Damm sat stroke. Kim sat in the three seat, West sat in the two seat and Whitman was in the bow.

"I think we surprised ourselves on Saturday with where we ended up," Simmonds said. "Our goals were to row a composed, clean race, follow the race plan we had established and respond when we needed to make a move. The rowers followed through beautifully and responded to my calls with an inner drive that was felt within the boat."

Simmonds was also impressed with the way the team was able to adjust to the weather.

"We knew conditions would not be ideal, but we took it as a challenge rather than a setback. Coach told us the last 300m (our sprint) would be choppy, and he was dead on," she said. "I'd say we were mentally prepared to face some bad water, and that made all the difference in continuing to deliver a solid race."

For the men's Varsity Eight, Hopkins placed in second with a time of 6:46, seven seconds behind first place Washington College. Junior Stephen Hou coxed, while senior captain Taylor Reese, sophomore Will Cooper, senior Cameron Ward, sophomore Marc Webb, junior Adam Ammar, sophomore Max Thorsbakken, junior Pete Ranieri and sophomore Eric Chen rounded out the other seven seats.

In the Varsity Four race, the "A" boat finished in second with a time of 7:29, 23 seconds behind Washington. Sophomore Alisha Tuteja served as the coxswain and Reese sat stroke with Cooper, Raineri and Webb in the other three seats. The "B" boat finished in third in 7:38. Hou served as the coxswain with Ward sitting stroke, Thorsbakken in the three seat, Ammar in the two seat and Chen in the bow.

In the men's novice four, Hopkins placed second with a time of 7:56.13. Freshman Kevin Chen coxed, with classmates Frank Yao, Bob Huang, Cliff Jenkins-Houk and sophomore Tyler Smith rowing.

"This is the first time the men have lost to Washington College in the varsity eight in at least eight years," Reese said. "They have recently gotten a new coach, so they are definitely getting better, but it's tough losing to a school we have consistently beat in the past."

Despite the loss, Coach Perry was impressed with the results. "The races were solid races for the team. At this early point in the season we are where we expected to be. [There is] much racing ahead," Perry said. "The times were slowed by a strong head wind and chop for the first two races, but we are confident all boats will pick up speed."

"I don't think these race results accurately display our potential," Reese said. "I am optimistic that we will gain some speed in the eight and in the fours in the upcoming races."

Hopkins returns to action on Sunday as the team travels to Lorton, Va. for the Occoquan Sprints.