George Washington University Athletics
Men's Crew Wins Silver Medal at IRAs
6/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Crew
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Wisconsin moved past Cornell as the crews passed the 500-meter mark of the 2000-meter Grand Final and continued to move away from the field. Harvard was rowing in third a half length up on Washington University and Rutgers with George Washington still in last position. Harvard and Washington both moved through Cornell at the halfway mark but Wisconsin still held a length of open water advantage.
In a boat borrowed from a local high school, George Washington passed Rutgers and moved up on Washington who were in fourth position. Jason Anklowitz, sitting in the bow of the George Washington boat, said after the race that at that time he noticed his crewmate, Sal Assenza, look all the way over his shoulder to see how far behind they were. "The way he had to crane his neck-I knew we were a long way behind," said Anklowitz.
With 900 meters to go the crew took a "Colonial Power 20" stroke move so decisive they immediately drew up with the pack. "Sal (Assenza) made the call to Justin Hutchinson to bring up the pace and lead us to the Promised Land," said Anklowitz.
But it was the last 500 meter sprint that stunned the crowd of approximately 20,000 spectators. The George Washington varsity men charged down lane 1., moving from fifth through Harvard, Cornell and Washington and into second place just missing out on beating Wisconsin for the National Title. Cornell took the bronze. Harvard finished fourth, Washingon fifth and Rutgers sixth.
"We kept moving faster and faster. We just ran out of room to catch them," said an exhausted GW stroke Justin Hutchinson after the race.
Grand Final Result: 1. Wisconsin 6:30.11 2. George Washington 6:32.77 3. Cornell 6:35.03 4. Harvard 6:38.11 5. Washington 6:42.31 6. Rutgers 6:43.77 George Washington University's Runner-up National Championship Crew: Bowman: Jason Anklowitz 2-seat : Sal Assenza 3-seat: Jeremy Dutra Stroke: Justin Hutchinson
At the medal ceremony, team MVP Justin Hutchinson learned he has been invited to join the Under 23 National Team for the Nations Cup in which the United States is the defending world champion.
"Take pride in the fact that GW beat out Georgetown's boat in the heats," said Anklowitz. "Take pride in the fact that Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Washington, Cornell, Syracuse and Rutgers, just to name some of the competition, all fell victim to a George Washington crew. Hold your head high when you say that you are a member of the GW men's crew team. It is something worthwhile that you are a part of. You must all strive to build upon what was done in Camden. We cannot allow it to become a pinnacle. This medal is only a step toward the top. The ultimate goal is yet to come. But it is up to you to ensure that our talent does not go unharvested," stated Anklowitz.
The result is the best ever by a George Washington crew at a National Championships in school history and was especially pleasing for first-year men's coach Gene Kininmonth.
"I can only imagine the possibilities that await," said Kininmonth. "I am extremely proud of these student-athletes. It was an honor to have had the opportunity to coach such talented athletes who have so much integrity."
Crew is primarily a "walk-on" sport at George Washington University and coach Kininmonth is very interested in talking to any student who would like to try out for the team.
