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A group of five Crew Club members will compete with teams from around the country at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association’s 101st National Championship Regatta May 29-31 on the Cooper River in Camden County, N.J.
More than 1,100 oarsmen from over 60 colleges and universities will compete. The Lafayette men’s varsity four will face Ivy League and California powers along with top teams such as the universities of Wisconsin and Washington.
The Lafayette rowers, all of whom just completed their sophomore year, are mechanical engineering majors Josh Keely of Curwensville, Pa., Wes Lane of Plaistow, N.H., and Dave O’Neill of Red Bank, N.J., and chemistry major Brandon Selfridge of Reedsville, Pa. Biochemistry major Katelyn Connell ’04 of Modena, N.Y., will serve as coxswain.
In its most recent competition, the men’s varsity four advanced to the semifinals of the Dad Vail Regatta May 9-10 in Philadelphia, clocking the ninth fastest time among the 39 entries.
The women’s novice boat finished sixth in a field of 52 teams, trailing third place by just 4.2 seconds in the finals. The group was comprised of first-year students Laura Danberg of Hockessin, Del.; Marta Murczek of Reading, Pa.; Colleen Walsh of Manasquan, N.J.; Laurel Waterhouse of Northfield, Conn.; and coxswain Katie Thoren of Hebron, Conn.
“They will be the basis for an excellent women’s varsity team next year,” says Crew Club faculty adviser Larry Malinconico, associate professor and acting head of geology and environmental geoscience.
The women’s varsity four finished 24th among 50 boats, improving on last years 40th place showing among 45 boats. The men’s novice four finished in 19th place within a 47-team field.
“We’ve had some very good showings this year in crew, much better than in the past,” says Malinconico. “We’ve had a good freshman class of men and women who have pushed the upper levels, forcing them to be the best they can be. That’s made a difference. And the men’s varsity four has been rowing together for a couple of years now.”
Another advantage has been new coach Richard Laurance, he adds.
“He’s a very good technical coach who can point out things the team is doing wrong,” says Malinconico. “We can work on style more than in the past. He’s someone who’s really dedicated to the sport; that’s what he’s doing with his life.”