Williams Grad Qualifies for U23 World Rowing Championships

By Dick QuinnWilliams Sports Info
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Katherine Robinson
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Katherine Robinson, who graduated from Williams College this spring, will be one of the 600 rowers from 50 nations competing at the U23 Rowing World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, from July 23 to 26.

On Thursday morning, July 8, Robinson and three teammates representing the GMS Rowing Center, earned the right to represent the United States at the U23 World Championships with an uncontested victory in the quad boat final in West Windsor, N.J.

Robinson's quad boat will compete in the lightweight classification. She is the only rower in the quad who is not a Division I rower as she has two teammates from University of Virginia (Division I runner-up) and one from Oregon State.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Robinson's boat was unchallenged in the U.S. Eph women's head crew coach Justin Moore points out that Robinson and her boat have performed very well in doubles and quads already.

"They've done a very nice job," said Moore. "They've put up some fast times in doubles and quads and they look to be medal contenders in Europe."

Robinson and her lightweight boat recorded a winning time of 7:23.535 on Thursday, while the winning time in the quad final was 7:34.285.

Robinson attracted national attention with the continued success of the Eph boats at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships, winning a record four consecutive NCAA titles, and when she captured the U23 Lightweight ergometer title this past winter, a result that put her fifth overall among all lightweight women.

Robinson, who was senior captain of the Eph women's team, hails from Marysville, Wash. Over the course of her four years in the Purple Valley, she rowed in the novice 8-plus, the 2V8-plus, both sides in the varsity boat and stroked the 1V8 this season that went undefeated. She earned First Team All-America honors this season.

She is rowing in seat 3 for the GMS Rowing Center quad boat.

The GMS Rowing Center will compete in the World Trials at either 4:24 p.m. (Czech time) or 4:30 p.m. on July 23 to determine if they advance to semifinals and then, hopefully, the finals.
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Pittsfield Council OKs Funds for Plow Truck; Refers Council Pay Recommendation

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Winter is right around the corner, and Pittsfield plans to purchase a vehicle to increase its snow-plowing capacity.

On Tuesday, the City Council approved the transfer of $200,000 from the Public Works Stabilization Fund for equipment. The Department of Public Services will purchase a one-ton truck equipped with an all-season body, snowplow, wing, and spreader.

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said it is something the department would like to have for supervision and expanding its work. 

"We need this piece of equipment to have a supervisor be able to go on the mains with a wing plow and assist on that as needed, and be able to pick up that wing and go to a neighborhood street and be able to assist with snow plowing in a neighborhood street," he explained. 

"And at the same time be able to jump throughout the city because he's supervising as well, making sure that there's volume." 

A comparable truck is included in Pittsfield's capital plan. 

These vehicles normally need to be ordered 10 to 12 months ahead of delivery, but Morales said Pittsfield identified one that can be expedited; he did not say how quickly. 

"Approving funding now gives us the best chance of having the truck built and in service for the coming snow season," he wrote in a communication to the council. 

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