Competing in their only home event for the fall, UR’s women’s rowing team combined several strong performances this past weekend at the Head of the Genesee Regatta on Saturday, Oct. 4. Seventeen different schools travelled to Rochester for more than ten races in both men’s and women’s divisions. For the ’Jackets, the varsity eight boat had one of its best successes, placing third and earning a bronze medal in their sixteen-boat race.
The varsity eight boat, which is made up of UR’s top eight rowers, was behind only top-ranked Williams College and Division II Mercyhurt University. Racing for the ’Jackets in the event were coxswain and sophomore Crystal Hoffman, along with fellow sophomore Alice Bandeian; seniors Juliana Orlov, Serra Sevenler, Emily Widra, and Allie Born; juniors Bella Clemente and Clare McMahon; and freshman Rebecca Fuchs.
For their performance, the best of any team in their conference or state, the eight were named the Liberty League Conference Boat of the Week on Monday, Oct. 6. It was UR’s first Boat of the Week award since March 31.
Rochester’s novice eight boat did equally well in their race, finishing third in the 5000m novice boat race behind teams from local rivals William Smith and RIT. The novice eight was composed entirely of freshman, with coxswain Kelly Boonie and her classmates Ciara O’Connor, Stephanie Taylor, Shaelyn Rhinehart, Julianna Profeta, Vada Coe, Mattison Flakus, Abigail Gatewood, and Madeline Bove.
The ’Jackets will have a week off before getting back on the water for their next event at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, Oct 18. The Regatta, which is the largest two-day rowing event in the world, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. UR will be bringing their first and second varsity eights to Boston, with both crews competing in the Collegiate Eight event in what should be a great opportunity for the ’Jackets to go up against some of the best rowers in the country.
Shapiro is a member of the class of 2016.
