October 12, 2022 By Holly Moriarty
The Hingham High School Crew team made its mark at the New England Junior, High School & Masters Championship Regatta this past Sunday—taking home four medals for Hingham.
Public and private schools and junior rowing clubs from across New England compete in the annual regatta in 4,200 meter races on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester. The HHS rowers and coxswains showed their school spirit sporting red paint streaked on their faces for race day, which was sunny and mild, perfect conditions for rowing. The lake had some tailwinds, which eventually turned into a cross breeze for the competitors.
The HHS girls novice (first year) boat beat out nine other high school crews to take gold, crossing the finish line almost a full minute ahead of the next closest boat. Alexa Fox coxed novice rowers Louisa Orth, Lynnayah Ryan, Sophia Santarelli, Isabelle Wagner, Ava Sugrue, Abrielle Beaudoin, Grace Ji, and Lydia D’Arcy.
“Our novice girls had an impressive showing against many of the fastest teams in New England,” said Pat Houle, novice coach for the girls team. “Their hard work, both on and off the water, is paying off and we look forward to more stiff competition next weekend.”
The boys first varsity boat crossed the finish line third out of 15 boats to earn the bronze medal, less than two seconds behind rival BC High. The 1V boat included Sam Ackerman, Gabe Wagner, William D’Arcy, Owen Burleigh, Theo Grossman, Michael Magner, Dylan Drew, Josh Bradshaw, and coxswain Michael Wegener.
The HHS boys third varsity boat also took bronze. Rowers Slater Fairfield, Arlo Maxwell, Will Cassidy, Finn Bias, Owen Franklin, Joe Cassidy, James Donnelly, Kyle Strauss, and coxswain Quinn Gainey placed third out of eight boats.
It was silver for the HHS boys fourth varsity crew, finishing second out of four boats with coxswain Jack Levy and rowers Charles Rogan, Kai Hawes, Ryan Kost, Sean Barry, Aqueel Bharmal, Jack Pilotte, Owen Weinstein, and Trevor Steiner.
“It was a very busy and exciting day with four varsity boats racing right in a row,” said Alix Howie, head coach of the HHS Crew boys team. “We also had several athletes who were racing for the first time and it was amazing to see them compete and win medals. I am very proud of our whole squad. They continue to work hard each day and push each other to be faster, especially as we prepare for some big upcoming races.”
Almost all of the HHS crews placed in the top half of their competition. The boys second varsity boat earned bronze last weekend at the Textile River Regatta and on Sunday came in seventh out of 14 boats. The 2V boat was coxed by Alex Jacob with rowers Jack Burns, James Feeley, Nathan Tesler, Alex Doggett, Nick Germain, A.J. Rubel, Colin Menuchi, and Cullen Moriarty.
The boys novice boat placed sixth out of 14 boats with Hanley Stroka coxing Asher Baynes, Lachlan Knies, Will Barry, Walker Bogan, Will Whitrap, Zakary Robbins, Liam Connolly, and Owen Lefort.
Abi Kornet, boys novice coach for the HHS Crew team said, “They raced really well, placing in the top half in their first race of the season. They maintained their focus, and all the work they’ve been doing in practice showed. I’m proud of them. And they’ll have another opportunity to compete with many of the same crews this weekend.”
Crossing fifth out of 10 boats, the HHS girls first varsity crew included rowers Sophie Kerr, Maisie Knies, Maeve Schnorr, Elena Vasilakos, Marissa Matthews, Jane Betti, Sadie Neidecker, Abigail Brown, and coxswain Alexa Fox.
The girls second varsity boat was just 14 seconds outside of medal contention, crossing the finish fourth out of eight boats. The girls 2V was coxed by Nora Pluto with rowers Ellie Dodd, Genevieve Vale, Sophia Santarelli, Julia Lopes, Ava Green, Patricia Ricci, Sasha Coleman, and Dania Thayer.
All boats in the girls third varsity race finished within three minutes of each other, with the HHS Crew placing seventh. Girls 3V included Audrey Jones, Ella Poggenburg, Taylor Sargent, Grace LaFond, Kaylee Araujo, Shauna Arseneau, Madeline Kittinger, Mae Mahoney, and coxswain Greta Campbell.
“The way we work together determines the way we succeed. Teamwork makes what's impossible to do alone possible,” said Sydney Blasetti, head coach of the girls HHS Crew team. “I am so excited to see what is to come for our team.”
The New England Junior Championships is great preparation for the Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association (MPSRA) Fall Championship Regatta in three weeks.
Next weekend, the team heads up north to compete in the New Hampshire Championship George Dirth Memorial Regatta. The following weekend, three HHS Crew boats will race in the Head of the Charles, and HHS Crew will host the first Frosty Bow Sprints Regatta on November 6 in Bare Cove Park in Hingham.