Rowing pays tribute to coaches in strong day at Buffalo’s John Bennett Invitational One day after being part of wedding of coach R.J. Rubino ’09, birthday presents for HOF coach Tom Flaherty
It was an “incredible” performance for the Canisius High School rowing program this weekend – in several ways.
On Saturday, many Crusaders and alumni were on hand for the wedding of head coach R.J. Rubino ’09, which including current team members creating an archway of CHS oars for he, wife Liana and the wedding party to walk through as they departed their ceremony at Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
The reception was held at the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association’s Patrick J. Paladino Memorial Boathouse – the outstanding facility that is home to the CHS rowing program. The best man was Tom Rubino ’13 while Paul Rubino ’10 and Peter Spira ’22 were groomsmen.
The next day, the team had a tremendous day at Buffalo’s John Bennett Invitational on what was the birthday for CHS President of Rowing Tom Flaherty, longtime leader of the Crusaders and a CHS Athletic Hall of Fame member who is a winner of the John F. Barnes Award for outstanding contributions to CHS athletics. The team dedicated its successful day to coach Flaherty.
“The boys went on to have an incredible performance,” said Rubino.
Canisius won the varsity eight and second varsity eight in thrilling photo-finish races that went down to fractions of a second against powerful Canadian programs: The varsity eight beat Notre Dame Rowing Club by just over a half-second (0.57); the second varsity eight beat E.L. Crossley by about a quarter-second (0.24).
The Crusaders also won the varsity pair and the JV four while it had great races in the varsity single, varsity four and freshmen eight.
Canisius rowing next heads to this weekend’s New York State Scholastic Championships on Fish Creek in Saratoga Springs.
Young athletes looking to start a rewarding career in this great sport or hone their rowing skills can do so during our “Best. Summer. Ever.” camps. Check out canisiushigh.org/bestsummerever
Students and families interested the academic, athletic and artistic excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius can learn more at canisiushigh.org. This place is special. Let us show you why.
