Bromfield-AB Rowers Compete in Head of the Charles Regatta

The Bromfield Acton-Boxborough Rowing Team sent four varsity squads to the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOTC) in Cambridge this past weekend to participate in the world’s largest two-day rowing competition, with rowers of all ages and all abilities participating. This was the 50th anniversary of the race.

Conditions were challenging, with strong winds and colder temperatures than we’ve seen this season.

Crews must qualify to enter the race by placing in the top 50% in the previous year, or may participate by lottery. Bromfield-AB fielded Boys and Girls 4s and 8s. The high school races boasted the largest field of entries with 85 crews in each event.

The best finish for Bromfield-AB was the Girls Varsity 8+, which rowed the course in 18:29, about 1:10 off the fastest pace. The 8+ boat was the race that Girls Varsity Coach Holly Hatton targeted for a good result.

With expert steering from senior coxswain Emily Erdos and outstanding racing by the crew of Courtney Oka, Kirsten Thiim, Anna Dawley, Panna Rasania, Molly Hart, Annie Copper, Kamryn Stecyk and Meghan Glade, they pulled off a very strong performance of 17th place. “I knew I was taking a chance prioritizing the 8 because it started so far back in the pack, but I felt the crew with it’s seven seniors was very experienced and up to the challenge. It was super to see them put together such a great race,” said Hatton.

The Girls 4+ boat also did well in qualifying for next year’s HOTC regatta. “A bright spot of the day was our newly formed crew of cox Katie Erdos, Kati Nugent, Grace Ott, Ally Goldsher, and Rachel Foote racing in the Youth Four. Though racing against many first-priority crews, they finished 30th, well above the 50% needed to earn a guaranteed entry for 2015. As an untested crew, this lineup showed poise and determination. I was really pleased with their result,” said Hatton.

The Boys 4+ boat also had a great finish at 18th, just one minute off the fastest pace, in a time of 18:21. The boat was coxed by Grace Heavey and featured rowers Luca Basile, Charles Watt, Liam Mackin, and Justin Hayes. The finish also qualified this boat for next year’s HOTC regatta.

The Boys 8+ entry finished in 70th place in a time of 17:59. Rowers were Cole Winsor, Ed Dunn, Dan Shrives, Garrett White, James O’Shea, Mark Borghesani, Ryan Doncaster, and Connor Reitler, with Cox Austin Rotker.

“The Varsity Boy’s crews put in excellent races against some of the top teams in the country this weekend. Both coxswains navigated the course very well in their first time at the race and the team was able to beat teams they had lost to earlier in the fall. I am very happy with everyone’s performance,” said Boys Varsity Coach Brian DiDominici.

The last regattas of the Fall season will be held the final weekend of October, with the varsity squads going to Saratoga, New York, and the novice squads competing at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester.