Pelham, NY - Members of the Iona College men's rowing team voluntarily competed in the NYAC Valentine's Day Erg Massacre on Feb 17.

As in previous years, the men's team elected to pay for their own entries to participate in this local event to ensure that there is no infraction of NCAA regulations which stipulate that schools are not allowed to sponsor athletes to participate in indoor rowing competition (2000m time trials on rowing machines).

Several Gaels, including freshmen Alex Wickers, Max Gaston, and Kevin Baldwin, sophomores George Vrettos, Ryan Tune, and John Teister, and senior John Yearwood posted personal bests. Freshman Nick Smilios recorded a season best time.

“We use the NYAC erg competition as a gauge to measure the efforts in winter training so far," commented coach Patterson. "I do take delight in having so many guys produce either season best or personal best times. There is still room for improvement, and I look forward to seeing progress throughout the season."

The team returns to their indoor training facility in the Hynes Athletics Center in search of more strength and speed for the final three weeks of indoor training before going back out on the water to train in boats and finalize racing line-ups for the season opener, which will take place on Mar. 31 at the Manhattan Invitational Regatta.

--GAELS--