The Colgate University women’s rowing team opened up their first major competition of the spring season on March 22, with the varsity eight (1v8) securing first place. The varsity eight, second varsity eight (2v8) and the coxless four (1v4) were both in three-way battles against High Point University and Marist College on Lake Brandt in North Carolina.
In a high-spirited race, the varsity eight claimed first place with a time of 6:50.05, ahead of High Point (6:59.1), while Marist took third at 7:03.6.
The 2v8 came in second-place (7:17.7), behind Marist (7:10.3) and two seconds ahead of High Point (7:19.5). Colgate’s 1v4+ placed third with a time of 8:29.47, with Marist in first place (7:59.42) and High Point following at 8:05.16.
The strong results across all boats, combined with the varsity eight’s dominant performance, have given the team confidence in their training and preparation for the season ahead. Besting second-place High Point by nine seconds adds to the anticipation of a promising season for the rowers.
Sophomore Alice Araneo expressed her excitement over the win, sharing insight on how the team was able to prove themselves.
“Everyone was incredibly proud because our top boat showed that hard work pays off. With it being the first regatta of the season, we went in unsure of the competition level we’d be facing, but the team was able to successfully meet the competition,” Araneo said.
With only one week of practice, the varsity eight were able to prove themselves and even went on to earn Patriot League Boat of the Week on March 25 after their regatta.
The rowers are keeping their hard work going by setting goals to achieve as a team.
Sophomore Sarah Beth Sandifer shared the team’s hopes for the rest of the season.
“We hope to have all four boats reach the grand final in their races, rather than just three,” Sandifer said. “Our main outcome goal is to be in the top six teams at the Patriot League Championships.”
The team also has specific opponents they hope to match or beat in the Patriot League, including Lehigh University and Holy Cross.
“We want to be above Lehigh and be competitive with Holy Cross by trying to match their speed and maintain that level throughout the season, especially at the Patriot League championships on May 16,” Sandifer added.
Ahead of their next regatta in Ithaca, N.Y., the team focused on improving their endurance, especially at the finish line, as sophomore Kyra Neumann noted.
“Our biggest focus right now is making sure we do not die out. Our coach Jim Lister always emphasizes pushing through the ‘red line,’ meaning once we reach that point of tiredness where it feels impossible to keep going, we push past it. We’re working together to grow in this aspect” Neumann explained.
This proved particularly crucial in the race against Marist, where the varsity eight successfully maintained their lead despite pressure from the competitors. Building on their endurance will allow the team to hold on to their speed and power throughout upcoming races, especially at their March 29 regatta versus Cornell University and George Washington University.
The team is learning how to maintain their competitive performances in the spring season as a continuation from the fall season. In the fall, the varsity four earned seventh place out of 50 teams in the women’s club four race at the Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the most prestigious rowing events in the world, held in Massachusetts. They were less than ten seconds away from the top five.
With their upcoming race in Ithaca, it is clear the Raiders were determined to conserve their momentum, striving towards progress in going strong till the end. They have the potential to improve both individually and more importantly, as a team, as their spring season picks up speed. Their shared goals keep them optimistic about what level they are striving for in the Patriot League.
The Raiders competed in 1v8 and 2v8 races against George Washington in the morning and Cornell in the afternoon of March 29 but were defeated in all four events. They will take on Smith College, Sacred Heart University and their Patriot League rival, Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass., on Saturday, April 12.
