Results from Last Sunday's Canoe Race!

Last week, the River Raisin was filled with canoes and kayaks, as boaters of all ages competed in the 48th Annual Canoe Race.  Nearly 100 boaters braved the chilly waters under sunny skies, racing the rapid river in record times.  “With high, spring time water levels the river was running especially fast this year,’ said Race Chair Patti McCabe.  “Quite a few boaters ended up in the river.”

Cindy Kenney, President of the Kiwanis Club explained, "Many contestants have been competing in the race for years.  Bragging rights between local families is a fun part of the competition.  In the Sprint Race the Kittel brothers are the team to beat, taking first place the last couple of years."

While Manchester Kiwanis sponsors this annual event, many local businesses and volunteers help to make it possible.  This year’s trophy sponsors included Ann Arbor State Bank, Ash Auto, Bob and Mary Anzalone, Dairy Queen, Edward Jones, Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester Family Practice, Sutton Insurance Agency and BRG Engraving.  “We had lots of help from the Lions Club, Jim Mann and  Mardy Kaiden and their river clean-up crew, Dennis Kittel and the Chelsea Amateur Radio Club.  It’s a community coming together to see that a 48 year old tradition continues,” says Kenney.

Proceeds from the Canoe Race will be used to support local Kiwanis service projects and Kiwanis sponsored youth organizations in the Middle School and High School.

Here are all the results:  canoe2014final - Results2014

Canoe's at the launch site.

Women’s Canoe Winners (not all pictured): 1st Lauren Foley, Jessica Foley; 2nd Margaret Bialecki, Sybil Kolon; 3rd Theresa Herron, Jennifer Philage.

Women Kayak: All first time competitors in the Kayak Class: 1st Becky Glesner, 2nd Jenna Chandler and 3rd Bonita Vale

Teen Class Winners: 1st Charles Rankin, Landon Fox; 2nd Gus Rickelmann, Anthony Rogers; 3rd Gabe Jacob, Jacob Strack

Sprint Class: Brothers Ross and Casey Kittel win bragging rights (again)

Single Canoe - Winners: 1st – Dave Lukasik, 2nd Shawn Mullaly and 3rd Dennis Kittel

Parent/Child – Happy winners: 1st Mardy Kaiden and Jordan Moore 2nd Bill Scully and Kody Naylor 3rd Jason and Benjamin Robinson

Jason and Benjamin - First time competitors Jason and Benjamin Robinson compete in the parent child class.

Corporate Challenge – first time competitors take home the traveling trophy. McClintic and Grutza from Di-Coat.

Competitive Class – Highly coveted trophies! Winners: Steve and Dave Foley, Ross and Casey Kittel and Mark Schwab and Ariel Meserva.

canoe 13

Canoe 8 – Father Daughter team Mark Schwab and Ariel Meserva have competed for many years!

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by Fritz Swanson

Fritz Swanson has written for The Believer, the Christian Science Monitor, Print Magazine, McSweeney's, Esopus, LSA Magazine, and The Mid-American Review. He serves as a trustee on the Manchester District Library Board. He's the designer and publisher of The Manchester Mirror.

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