May 2, 2010

MADISON, Wis. -- After a successful showing in the Cochrane Cup yesterday, the No. 8 Wisconsin men’s rowing team captured the Jablonic Cup for the fifth year in a row this Sunday with a varsity eight victory over No. 12 Boston University. UW also captured the second varsity eight race against the Terriers, but dropped the freshman eight event in flat water racing conditions on the Charles River in Boston.

Wisconsin’s varsity eight boat of coxswain Anthony Altimari, Tim Aghai, Roger Huffman, Matt Lojkovic, Max Goff, Luke Juckett, Steve Dudek, Daniel Gengler and Sam Hoidal defeated the Terrier boat by 6.4 seconds.

"In the varsity, BU took the lead for 400 or 500 meters, just a couple of seats over us," said Head Coach Chris Clark. "Then our guys made a move and looked very comfortable, and they were gone. They just took off. BU came out charging, but our guys stayed cool and attacked at about 500.

"It is a very difficult weekend when you are rowing on Saturday then again on Sunday, especially on a road trip. Our guys were smart yesterday. I thought they rowed well and contained yesterday, but today they were a completely different crew. There’s no race on Monday. They went very hard in the body of the race to take control. BU has significantly improved over the last few years and knocked us out of the grand final at the IRA last year so they are a worthy opponent, that is for sure."

UW’s second varsity eight boat, seating coxswain Matt Francsis, Michael Kaufman, Zach Rodenbough, Paul Williams, James Hadar, Jack Yeksigian, Andrew Gallagher, Ryan Thompson and Eric Duhon knocked off BU with an 11.2-second victory.

"Our guys jumped out, we were leading by 250 meters and never looked back," said Clark. "It was a good race for us."

Boston evaded the sweep with a 6.76-second victory over UW in the freshman eight.

"The frosh raced well, but lost," Clark said. "BU is undefeated, I believe, this spring and is very good. Our guys hung fairly well for about 1000 meters and then BU got loose from us, but our guys fought the whole way."

The Badgers will return to Madison, Wis., to prepare for their next regatta, the EARC Conference Championships on May 16.

"Now we have two weeks until the Sprints and we will need all of that time," Clark concluded. "Guys get back and prepare for finals during that time, as well."

Results
Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 5:51.5; 2. Boston University, 5:57.9

UW Lineup: Coxswain Anthony Altimari, Tim Aghai, Roger Huffman, Matt Lojkovic, Max Goff, Luke Juckett, Steve Dudek, Daniel Gengler, Sam Hoidal

Second Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 5:58.0; 2. Boston University, 6:09.2

UW Lineup: Coxswain Matt Francsis, Michael Kaufman, Zach Rodenbough, Paul Williams, James Hadar, Jack Yeksigian, Andrew Gallagher, Ryan Thompson, Eric Duhon

Freshman Eight
1. Boston University, 6:01.14; 2. Wisconsin, 6:07.9

UW Lineup: Coxswain Chris Lawrence, Andrew Weiland, Cal Nuthals, Tyler Dawson, Drew Miller, Alec Hub, Cody Rissman, Casey Klein Kennedy, Ben Ruble