Results
Atlantic City, N.J. – Stockton University began the 2019-20 season by hosting the Stockton-AC Stakes Race at the Atlantic City Boat House. The Ospreys rowed against Drexel University, an NCAA Division I program, in pairs and fours. Two Stockton entries rowed against each other in the eights as well.
"We've been on the water for two weeks and the growth has been phenomenal," said head coach
John Bancheri after his team's season debut. "I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the next four weeks before the end of the fall season."
In the pairs,
Michaela Pope (Collingswood/Collingswood) and
Emily Culmone (Absecon/Ocean City) finished third behind two entries from Drexel with a time of 24:09.00.
The fours featured three boats apiece from Stockton and Drexel. The top unit for the Ospreys consisted of Pope, Culmone,
Olivia Hurley (Bayville/Central Regional) and
Jany Anderson (Petersburg/Ocean City) with coxswain
Kaitlyn Bradley (Mays Landing/Oakcrest). They finished fourth with a time of 19:32.00.
Two Stockton entries rowed against each other in the eights. Culmone, Pope, Anderson, Hurley,
Chloe Schulze (Little Egg Harbor/Pinelands),
Caitlyn Fogarty (Jackson/Jackson Memorial),
Kayla Bokor (Wayne/Roxbury),
Catelyn Andrews (Old Bridge/Old Bridge) and coxswain Bradley won the head-to-head duel with a time of 18:40.00.
Last year, Culmone, Schulze, Hurley, Pope and Bradley were part of the Stockton eight that earned the program's first medal ever in an eight at the Dad Vail Regatta.
In addition to the collegiate races, the Stockton-AC Stakes Race also featured high school and masters races. With a total of 81 boats entered, the event is believed to be the largest regatta ever held in Atlantic City.
"I was thrilled that the local rowing community was involved," Bancheri added. "I believe this event is something that is going to grow even more in the future."
