The men’s crew began its 2010 season yesterday at Cayuga Inlet against Hobart College, Cornell University, Bucknell University, the Univerisity of Virginia and the University of Michigan.

The meet, which featured the largest field on the Bombers’ regular season schedule, got off to a disappointing start when the varsity 8 lost its race with area rival Hobart for the Statesman Trophy, finishing in 6:24.7 while Hobart finished in 6:21.0.

“Our first piece, obviously we want to win but as long as your boat is set, that’s good”, senior varsity 8 fifth seat Chris Lisee said. “We were rushing up the slide a bit and our ratio wasn’t totally on, but at least now we know a lot more what to work on for our second piece of the race.”

The Bombers’ second varsity 8 also lost to the Statesmen in one of the afternoon races as well, finishing in 6:33:4 while Hobart finished in 6:28.0. The varsity 8 lost its other two races to Virginia and Bucknell, respectively, with times of 6:16:43 and 6:16 67 and the second varsity 8 lost to Bucknell, finishing in 6:42.55.

The Bombers compete next against the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology on at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cayuga Inlet.