October 5, 2023 By Holly Moriarty
Thirty-six Hingham High School athletes came home with medals from the Textile River Regatta this past weekend in Lowell. In their first regatta of the season, the HHS Crew team earned four medals—gold for the girls novice boat, silver for both the girls first and second varsity crews, and bronze for the boys second varsity boat.
Ten Hingham boats competed in the 4,500 meter races on the Merrimack River in sunny, unseasonably warm weather, with light winds from the northwest.
“The conditions in Hingham Harbor the last couple of weeks have been pretty harsh, so to race in the warm sun on the glassy, flat water in Lowell was a welcome change,” said Alix Howie, head coach of the boys HHS Crew team.
The boys varsity four crew started the day for Hingham, racing for the first time in a 4+ boat together. In a field of 22 boats, the HHS crew took fourth place, just three seconds out of medal contention, behind Friends of Brookline, Cambridge Rindge & Latin, and Bromfield Acton Boxborough. Torbjorn Tennebo coxed rowers Sam Ackerman, James Feeley, Dylan Drew, and Josh Bradshaw.
“They had only the warm up to the start to get ready, but they immediately got in sync and found a rhythm, earning fourth place and missing third by mere seconds,” said Coach Howie.
“Despite it being our first time rowing the 4+ together, we still felt smooth and fast, and we were able to pass several other strong crews,” said James Feeley, senior and captain on the boys team.
The Hingham boys second varsity crew clinched bronze in the next race, placing third out of 19 boats. Friends of Brookline’s two 8+ boats took first and second. Jack Levy coxed Owen Franklin in stroke seat, followed by Jack Burns, Will Cassidy, Alex Doggett, Brendan Engel, Kyle Strauss, Owen Weinstein, and Cullen Moriarty in bow.
“The 2V started off near the front of the pack, finding their solid race pace right from the chute,” said Coach Howie. “Despite other crews not following their lines, nor yielding when called, they were able to expertly pass crews, not losing a beat. They were calm and strong, earning third place in a very competitive race.”
“It was so rewarding to experience our boat coming together in that race with the best set we’ve had all season. We kept the power on throughout the whole race and really picked it up after we overtook a boat. It was a great start to the racing season,” said Cullen Moriarty, senior and HHS Crew team captain.
Hingham’s third varsity boys boat also competed in the second varsity race, placing tenth, with stroke Hanley Stroka, Trevor Steiner, Owen Cerrato, Oliver McLucas, Owen LeFort, Liam Connelly, Lachlan Knies, Niko Mangili in bow, and coxswain Tyler Bastia.
“The 3V competed in the same event, racing against higher boats, but not giving an inch and never backing down. They kept their composure and strength and had a strong tenth place finish, ahead of all but one of the other 3V crews,” added Coach Howie.
The boys novice crew placed sixth out of 13 boats, with Concord High School, Duxbury, and BC High taking the top three spots respectively. Lucas Mangili coxed rowers Michael Catalfano in stroke seat, Seph Darlington, Oisin Rowan, Will Watts, Liam Govini, Noah Rawoof, Aedan Sullivan, and in bow Zakary Robbins.
Novice Coach Abi Kornet commented, “After only a few days rowing together, the boys had a strong first race, placing in the top half. They came off the water all smiles and with a deeper understanding of what it means to push yourself. I’m excited to see what they do this coming weekend.”
Igniting a streak for the girls team, Hingham’s second varsity crew earned the silver medal in a field of 13 boats, six seconds behind Duxbury and nine seconds ahead of Friends of Brookline. Louisa Orth rowed in stroke seat, followed by Dania Thayer, Sophia Santarelli, Genevieve Vale, Taylor Sargent, Jane Betti, Ava Green, Abrielle Beaudoin in bow, and Ella Poggenburg coxing.
Similar to the boys side, the girls third varsity boat also competed in the second varsity race, placing eleventh, with coxswain Emily Gu, Grace Ji in stroke, Shauna Arseneau, Madeline Kittinger, Annie Sargent, Lauren Newth, Elise Olin, Dillon Turner, and Natalie Shaw in bow.
Beating out ten other crews, the HHS girls first novice boat took gold, one second ahead of East Bay and 17 seconds ahead of third place Arlington Belmont. Audrey Smith coxed Thea Migliaccio in stroke seat, Jesse Tennebo, Aubrey Fairfield, Eliza Powers, Bianca Kiley, Jane Melia, Maddie Owens, and Emme Beaudoin in bow.
“The novice girls have been training hard both on and off the water since the end of August and their efforts paid off this weekend,” said Novice Coach Pat Houle. “We are hoping to build upon this success this coming weekend at the New England Championships, where we will be racing some of the fastest schools in our region.”
HHS Crew has an especially large novice girls team this season and entered a second novice boat into the race. Placing ninth were rowers Kaylee Araujo in stroke seat, Eva O’Sullivan, Rose Lovendale, Hayley Kost, Riley Stocks, Stella Gutierrez, Lexi Messina, Maddie Cleary in bow, and coxswain Octavia Atkins.
Just four seconds out of medal territory, the boys first varsity boat placed fourth among 18 boats, behind BC High, Friends of Brookline, and Duxbury. Torbjorn Tennebo coxed stroke Sam Ackerman, James Feeley, Walker Bogen, Dylan Drew, Arlo Maxwell, Will Barry, Josh Bradshaw, and in bow Slater Fairfield.
“The 1V started out towards the back of the pack, but didn’t let that stop them. Using it as fuel and motivation, they walked up and passed the boats in front of them, cruising into a fourth place finish, only seconds separating them from the second and third place finishers,” said Coach Howie. “ I think this boat will continue to develop and push themselves as the weeks go by. They are very self-motivated, and it will make for an exciting season.”
“The boat came together very well for our first race of the season. We were all nervous to see how we would do, but we all put in the effort to make it work,” said Dylan Drew, senior and captain on the team.
Coach Howie added, “It’s always exciting and nerve wracking going into the first race, unsure how it will come together and where we will stack up. The thing with this team is there really is never anything to worry about. They are the most determined and hard-working, and they give everything they have to every race, leaving it all on the water.”
Wrapping up the day for Hingham, the girls first varsity crew earned silver, finishing just two seconds behind Friends of Brookline and two seconds ahead of Boston Latin in a field of 12 boats. Alexa Fox coxed Maeve Schnorr in stroke seat, followed by Maisie Knies, Sophie Kerr, Isabelle Wagner, Ava Sugrue, Lynnayah Ryan, Marissa Matthews, and in bow Lydia D’Arcy.
“These girls show up daily and put their heart and soul into each and every workout,” said Head Coach Sydney Blasetti. “I am proud of every person on our team. This weekend was a great start! I can’t wait to see where the season takes us.”
HHS Crew competes again this Sunday in the New England Junior Championship Regatta in Worcester.