It had been on Tina Campagna’s mind since returning to practice on Onondaga Lake’s familiar waters for the first time this season. Her days on the Syracuse women’s rowing team were numbered.

The crew’s season-opening match would be the last at home for the senior coxswain and her family, where her rowing career began eight years ago as a freshman from Liverpool High School near Syracuse.

‘(Onondaga Lake) is where I grew up, this is kind of like my playground,’ Campagna said. ‘It was emotional because it was the last time racing down the course.’

Supported by friends, family and alumni, she made sure it was a race no one would forget.

As the Varsity Eights passed the James A. Ten Eyck Boathouse, Campagna reminded the seniors aboard it was their last home race, calling out each of their names into her microphone before counting down the 10 strokes till the finish line.

Though the Orange failed to bring back the Kittell Cup for a second consecutive year, with two opening loses to Boston University, Syracuse made the most of its first home meet in two years. All boats eventually won the first matches of the season with the Varsity Eights prevailing against Boston College in their final event.

‘They could have lost (the Varsity Eights’ first) race and beat themselves from it, but instead the fact that they got themselves up and went out there with a great attitude showed tenacity,’ SU head coach Kris Sanford said. ‘I’m satisfied with their efforts, but not with the results.’

Instead, Sanford said her team requires more comfort and confidence when racing from behind, something she saw in the Varsity Eights’ second race against BC, she said.

Alumni and families on the dock, who brought both memories and support, provided Campagna emotional motivation and confidence during her final match at home. Sanford also witnessed their contribution of emotion and energy to the match’s atmosphere, a rare event as home matches have come around once every two years.

Due to the team’s racing schedules and majority of Ivy League opponents, the opportunity for meets at Onondaga Lake depends on the year, rotating between SU and BU.

And combined with the pressure of not losing the first home event in two years, maintaining focus and comfort in 11-degree whether was difficult for senior Zaula Usman.

‘Just sitting there waiting for the race to start,’ Usman said. ‘(The possibility of losing) can get into your head if it’s too cold or if you don’t stay focused within your boat.’

But for Syracuse alumna Kristin Brody, who competed for SU’s first women’s rowing team 30 years ago, races in such conditions were the ones that left memories she remembers today.

‘Those who race and compete in warmer climates don’t know what its like to race with icicles hanging off their rigors, it may bring some aspects that are uncomfortable for a couple of hours, but once it’s gone the memories last,’ Brody said.

The opportunity to participate in the match meant as much to the parents and alumni as it did for the rowers, Campagna said.

Both layered in jackets to withstand the Syracuse weather, Tony Campanga and Dirk Lentini, fathers of Campanga and Lindsay Lentini respectively, found the same bittersweetness their daughters felt from their last home match.

‘We would have liked to see a win for their senior year, but the girls seemed happy after their meet, and if they’re happy I’m happy,’ Dirk Lentini said, about losing the Kittell Cup. ‘It’s always been like a little community. It’s been about relationships not only for the kids but for the parents.’

Syracuse will have to wait another two years for a home victory. For both dads, the first match of their daughters’ season would be their last together, but not the end to their bond.

‘What are we going to do with the weekends now?’ Dirk asked Tony sitting to his right.

Tony replied, ‘Play golf?’

edpaik@syr.edu

Published on March 30, 2008 at 12:00 pm