BUFFALO — The Canisius rowing program was selected third in the Metro Athletic Conference Preseason Poll released Wednesday morning. According the vote by the league’s 10 head coaches, the Griffs finished with 76 points and three first place votes.
“It’s always intriguing to have the preseason polls come out, and to see where our fellow conference coaches rank us, as we get set to start the spring,” head coach Erin Neppel said. “The top teams are getting more and more competitive with each other, so it’s becoming an exciting dynamic. There are so many crews working to get races in and improve their standings before the MAAC championship, Canisius included. It’s a great setup for the upcoming racing.”
Defending MAAC Champion, Jacksonville was selected first with 96 points and seven first place votes, while Marist was selected second, with 86 points.
Canisius was selected third with 76 points and three first place votes, the only other team to garner first-place votes other than Jacksonville. Fairfield came next (68), as Drake (63), Robert Morris (43), Sacred Heart (38), Iona (34), Stetson (33), and Manhattan (11), rounded out the poll.
“Our strong fall set us on fire for winter training and early spring prep, as we embraced the work indoors and those challenges presented with inspired effort,” Neppel said. “They have a lot of momentum built up from the past several weeks, and are stoked to get back on the water. The spring should be a wild, exciting ride for sure.”’
Canisius fall provided the squad an extremely solid base to build upon, as the Blue and Gold had impressive results in the three regattas it competed in.
The Griffs recorded first place finishes against Buffalo and at the William Smith Challenge on the Canal, as well as the team’s home regatta, the Head of the Niagara.
Canisius also posted a 20th place finish at the Head of the Charles, dealing with the adversity of course hazards, which hindered the Griffs’ race time.
The Blue and Gold will resume its season on Saturday, March 25, when the team heads to Philadelphia, Pa., to compete at the Murphy Cup. Canisius hosts its home regatta, the Black Rock Cup, on April 22.
from GoGriffs.com via IFTTT