STATE COLLEGE, Pa. Fall rowing for Penn State Crew has officially begun.

Penn State Crew comes up big in the first race of the year, the mens varsity eight and the
womens varsity eight started the season on a successful note as Penn State hosted
Susquehanna University and La Salle University for the Bald Eagle Chase Regatta.
The mens eight was the first race of the day and the conditions were far from a light
breeze and a sunny afternoon. With temperatures at a season low and winds up to 20
miles-per-hour, the men began their head race at 12:30, and after trudging tenaciously
through the brutal conditions of winds and waves, the Penn State top mens eight came
out with a second place finish, losing to La Salles second eight by a mere six seconds.
Penn States preparation for the opening home race has been troubled with a lack of
water practice time due to being fogged out at the Bald Eagle National Park, the eight
never actually practiced together prior to the race. Mens varsity eight stroke, Ryan
Alcantara, was overall impressed with the mens teams finish.
"I think everyone rowed well given the conditions and the lack of practice, Alcantara
said. Honestly, I was proud of the squad."
The mens second place finishers had a large mix of ages in the boat, from fifth-year
senior captain, Max Massey, to freshmen Nathan Leibowitz and Sam French. French
rowed at La Salle College High School last and raced this past weekend like a savvy
veteran collegiate rower.
I mean I'm used to the intensity and the mental determination from high school, but it
was awesome to be able to move on to the next tier of competition in my rowing career,
French said.
The varsity womens eight also did very well, finishing second place to La Salles first
womens eight.
The womens team, just like the mens team, has been prioritizing practices on the water
in the fours, so the first time the boat practiced the racing line-up was rowing up to the
starting line. Womens captain, Hannah Putnam, seemed optimistic about her teams
performance and potential.
I thought the race went well due to the harsh conditions and the lack of practice in line
ups, Putnam said. We showed we can still find a way to work together and pull hard
even with the minimal water time we've had.

BALD EAGLE CHASE REGATTA RESULTS

Placement Crew
Time on Course
1
LaSalle - B
13:59
2
Penn State - A
14:05

3
4
5
6

LaSalle - A
LaSalle - C
Susquehanna
Penn State - B

14:19
14:42
14:51
15:21

Women's Varsity Eight

1
LaSalle -A
2
Penn State - A
3
LaSalle - B
4
Penn State - B
5
Susquehanna

16:14
16:41
17:19
17:33
17:48

The womens eights race was the second race of the day, and the last, as coaches and
officials decided it was best to scrap the novice and fours races due to the harsh
conditions.
Penn State head coach, Ryan Laudermilch, justified the decision to cancel the races.
Rowing is always affected by the weather and Saturday was no different. Several boats
were taking waves over the gunwales and decks, but these are conditions crews will see
anywhere at anytime, Laudermilch said. Unfortunately, the wind picked up and we
weren't able to continue racing.
This was not the first Bald Eagle Chase Regatta for the Susquehanna and Penn State
teams, but the lake was a new experience for Philadelphia natives, La Salle, and
Laudermilch is hopeful that the race continues to grow.
We have a great location that is central for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia crews, so I see
this race growing in the year's to come. Penn State Crew is becoming a better host from
year to year so hopefully this will invite competition and rivalries, Laudermilch said.
Penn State crew will continue their fall racing schedule this upcoming weekend in
Philadelphia, where all boats hope to succeed at the annual Navy Day Regatta.