November 1, 2023 By Holly Moriarty
The Hingham High School Crew team came out strong again last weekend at the Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association (MPSRA) Fall Championship, with the novice girls taking gold, the boys second and third varsity crews each earning silver medals, and the boys first varsity and girls third varsity boats winning bronze.
“The races this weekend were competitive,” said Sydney Blasetti, head coach of the girls HHS Crew team. “Our team worked hard and gave it their all in their races. That’s all you can ask for as a coach. I’m proud of each and every one of them. We are looking forward to concluding our season this coming weekend with the Frosty Bow.”
Rowing teams from public schools across the state came together last Sunday to compete on the Merrimack River in Lowell for the MPSRA’s semi-annual event. The day started cloudy and mild in the morning, with light and variable winds, providing calm conditions for rowing. Rain moved in when the varsity boats began launching, with a light tail wind coming in from the west at their backs for the races.
The boys novice crew started the day for Hingham, placing fifth, with Duxbury Bay Maritime School, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, and Bromfield Acton-Boxborough in the top three spots.
“The boys’ energy as they came off the water was radiant,” said Abi Kornet, boys novice coach of the HHS Crew team. “They felt great about their race, saying it might’ve been the best they’d rowed all season. We spent the prior two weeks ironing out some kinks, so to have ‘the best row yet’ to finish off the season is a win in my book. I’m proud of each one of them, as rowing is not an easy sport. They have worked hard, pushing themselves to get better, thinking about things differently, and connecting as a team, both in the boat and out.”
Lucas Mangili coxed rowers Oison Rowan, Will Watts, Liam Govini, Noah Rawoof, Michael Catalfano, Seph Darlington, Luca Arienti, and Zakary Robbins in bow.
“I’m proud of the way our boat raced at MPSRAs, and while we didn’t go home with a medal I am nonetheless proud of how we raced through the season,” said Oison Rowan, stroke seat of the boys novice boat. “We look towards the spring season with hunger and excitement, and hope to bring home some hardware then.”
A minute ahead of the next closest boat, HHS’s girls first novice crew took gold, with Arlington Belmont in second and Shrewsbury High School a minute after them in third place. Audrey Smith coxed rowers Thea Migliaccio in stroke, Jane Melia, Natalie Shaw, Eliza Powers, Aubrey Fairfield, Emme Beaudoin, Bianca Kiley, and Jesse Tennebo.
“I am so impressed with our entire novice team this season,” said Pat Houle, novice coach of the girls HHS Crew team. “They showed up in August ready and eager to put in the work necessary to compete for another state title. Our first novice boat continued their dominating season bringing home the state title for the second year in a row. They made some great changes this past week at practice and increased their lead over the rest of the field, beating the second place boat by a full minute. I look forward to watching all of our novice athletes continue their rowing career with HHSRA.”
The girls second novice crew was the only entrant for their race and had an impressive solo run down the river. The second novice boat included stroke Rose Lovendale, Eva O’Sullivan, Kaylee Araujo, Stella Gutierrez, Sophia Peregrine, Shayla St. Croix, Lexi Messina, Mae Mahoney in bow, and coxswain Octavia Atkins.
The boys varsity races were next. Moments after their boats pushed off the dock, the temperature dropped quickly and the rain started.
“These athletes didn’t let that stop them in any way,” said Alix Howie, head coach of the boys HHS Crew team. “Despite the cold wet weather, they drew adrenaline from the conditions, pumping up through the start line, pushing down the long course and through the finish line.”
The boys first varsity crew placed third, 10 seconds behind Duxbury and nine seconds after Friends of Brookline. Torbjorn Tennebo coxed rowers Sam Ackerman, James Feeley, Walker Bogen, Dylan Drew, Alex Doggett, Will Barry, Josh Bradshaw, and Slater Fairfield.
“It was well fought,” said Slater Fairfield, junior and bow seat of the 1V boat. “Although we came in third to Brookline and Duxbury, we didn’t make it easy for them. I know all nine of us are eager to get back on the water and redeem ourselves next weekend at the Frosty Bow.”
Hingham’s boys second varsity crew followed up with silver.
“Looking long and strong, the 2V was back together in a winning lineup from earlier in the season. They found a steady rhythm, pulling away from all the crews behind them,” said Coach Howie.
Hingham’s 2V boat placed second, with Friends of Brookline in first and Duxbury in third. Jack Levy coxed Owen Franklin in stroke seat, followed by Jack Burns, Will Cassidy, Arlo Maxwell, Brendan Engel, Kyle Strauss, Owen Weinstein, and Cullen Moriarty in bow.
“This was my last head race regatta at Hingham High, and I was blown away by how all of my boat mates connected together for it. It was really special to feel the power behind every stroke as each of us gave our all to make it a memorable last fall race for the seniors. I couldn’t be happier finishing the season with a medal!” said senior Jack Burns.
The boys third varsity boat raced next, clinching another silver medal for Hingham.
“The 3V closed the day out for the boys, and what a show it was,” said Coach Howie. “This boat has faced many obstacles in the last weeks, and they meet every lineup change and every weather mishap with grit and determination.”
The boys third varsity crew placed second, and similar to the 2V race, Friends of Brookline took first and Duxbury third. Tyler Bastia coxed Hanley Stroka in stroke seat, followed by Trevor Steiner, Lachlan Knies, Oliver McLucas, Ryan Kost, Liam Connelly, Owen Cerrato, and Niko Mangili in bow.
“The past few weeks of training we’ve been working through some challenges in the boat, but this race really proved what we could do,” said Trevor Steiner, sophomore in the 3V. “Even with the poor weather conditions, we were able to push through and have a great race. The power was really strong and the boat was stable throughout. We look forward to the upcoming race next weekend!”
The girls varsity crews were next on the river. Hingham’s girls first varsity boat finished just six seconds out of medal contention, behind Duxbury, Boston Latin, and Friends of Brookline respectively.
Maeve Schnorr rowed in stroke seat, followed by Maisie Knies, Sophie Kerr, Isabelle Wagner, Ava Sugrue, Lynnayah Ryan, Marissa Matthews, and in bow Lydia D’Arcy, with coxswain Alexa Fox.
Hingham’s girls second varsity crew also placed fourth after Duxbury, Boston Latin, and Friends of Brookline. Ella Poggenburg coxed Lulu Orth in stroke seat, Dania Thayer, Sophia Santarelli, Genevieve Vale, Ava Green, Maddie Owens, Madeline Kittinger, and Abrielle Beaudoin bow.
The girls third varsity crew ended the day for Hingham with a bronze medal, with Duxbury taking first and Boston Latin second.
“Many of our novice rowers raced up a level in the third varsity event, competing against athletes with many more seasons of rowing under their belts. Their bronze medal is a testament to their hard work this season,” said Coach Houle.
Emily Gu coxed Lauren Newth in stroke seat, Shauna Arseneau, Taylor Sargent, Elsie Olin, Dillon Turner, Hayley Kost, Riley Stocks, and Annie Sargent in bow.
“I am very proud of this team this season. Everyone, from coxswains to competing rowers to every alternate, pushed themselves and their teammates for the past 10 weeks to achieve this weekend’s results,” said Coach Howie. “It was a whole-team effort in the truest sense. They are very excited for this weekend, racing long-time rivals at the Frosty Bow regatta, and hoping to show the town what they can do.”
