Florida Tech’s Men’s Rowers Capture Gold

By  //  April 22, 2013

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Florida Tech's men's rowers won gold in the varsity eight and varsity four events Sunday at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in Tennessee. (Image courtesy of Florida Tech)
Florida Tech’s men’s rowers won gold in the varsity eight and varsity four events Sunday at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in Tennessee. (Image courtesy of Florida Tech)

OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE – Florida Tech’s 19th-ranked varsity eight and varsity four will return to Melbourne with a gold medal around their necks after winning their respective races at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships Sunday at the Melton Lake Rowing Venue in Tennessee.

The eight’s victory is its fourth in five years.

FITLOGO-200“From start to finish, it was one of the best races I’ve ever watched and it wasn’t because we won,” head coach Jim Granger said in reference to the varsity eight. “It was an awesome piece for our kids.

“Our four took off in its heat, had a really good piece and finished strong. The crew did the same in the semis, so I think their confidence was really high for today’s final. They delivered today and had the race in control. They were about two to three lengths up by the 1,000. For both boats to win today, it’s awesome for the program. Our novice guys learned a lot from watching the other two boats have a successful weekend.”

The gold medal winning eight includes coxswain Jessica Mellinger, stroke Ernestas Zarskis, Jonas Karalius, Mindaugas Beliauskas,Martynas Mickus, Joe Horn, Plamen Ivanov, John Martin and bow Carson Green.

Also winning gold was coxswain Lauren Amsbary, stroke Troy Toggweiler, Alec Bertossa, Jose Gomez-Feria and bow Frank Campionefrom the varsity four.

More information on the victories and FIT’s men’s novice eight race will be available after the official times are received.

The Panthers will now prepare for the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta scheduled for May 10 and 11 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.