The men’s and women’s crew teams got their paddles wet in Ithaca this past weekend after a long winter layoff and a sunny spring break practice session in Tampa, Florida. Neither team showed much rust in taking the majority of the heats against Ithaca College. For the men, the first varsity eight lost to Ithaca with a time of 6:04.31 to Ithaca’s 5:57.04. First-year Mark Robson, sophomores Chris Monterosso, Kurt Miller, Eddie Gastel, juniors Peter Engebretson, Austin Sigety, Andrew Hatzenbuhler, Bryan Pape and senior Tom Leondard rowed in this heat. Colgate redeemed themselves with a victory in the second varsity eight, with a time of 6:18.6. The Raiders dominated the varsity four race, with both of their boats beating Ithaca with times of 6:40.31 and 6:42.02. The novice four proved victorious over Ithaca’s novice crew, beating the Bombers with a time of 7:12.8. Four-man Raider boats have proven quite formidable this season, with the varsity winning the prestigious Head of the Charles meet in late October and the novice crew finishing fourth out of ten at the Head of the Fish meet.

The women’s varsity eight dominated Ithaca with a time of 6:50.02, nearly eleven seconds faster than Ithaca’s time of 7:01.15. First-years Vicky Hulit, Lauren Schmetterling, sophomore Meredith Remmer, junior Ande Reisman and seniors Margaux Jackson, Lindsey Hochman, Kinsey Carlson, Laura Lunn, Emily Burton rowed for the first varsity eight. Colgate fell in the second varsity eight, posting a time of 7:18.6. The novice eight struggled on Saturday, falling to the Bombers and recording a time of 7:52.57. The varsity four cruised past Ithaca in their heat, posting a time of 7:44.4, nearly 12 seconds faster than host Ithaca’s 7:56.1.

The men will learn Thursday if they will race in Syracuse against the Orange this weekend, the prospect dependent on the melting ice. Their first home appearance will be on April 7th when they face Dowling. The women, who were recently picked to finish third out of five programs in the 2007 Patriot League Preseason Poll, will take on the University of Massachusetts and Holy Cross in Pelham, New York on Sunday. The team is also scheduled to scrimmage Hamilton College on Saturday. The women do not race at home this year.