ITHACA, NY — Williams started off the season strong on the windy Cayuga Inlet today as all 4 women's eights won their races against Ithaca and Washington College. Although the skies cleared in time for the races, it was a very windy day in Ithaca. The course held a fierce tailwind that made for quick and intense races. Williams swept the day and won all 6 races they competed in.
The 3V raced first and was coxed by
Katie Scott and stroked by
Isabelle Zollinger, followed by
Audrey Riddle,
Emma Caruso,
Mia Kabillio,
Molly McWeeny,
Annie Refermat,
Ella Potee and
Carolyn Fortin in bow seat. Ithaca jumped off the start and walked through Williams in the first 500 meters, and they maintained their lead through the 1000-meter mark. Williams maintained their composure and grit and took a big move across the halfway point to get back even with Ithaca. At 750 meters left in the race, Williams began to push through Ithaca's lead and take seats on them. The race remained tight until the line, both rowers and spectators unable to tell who was ahead in the sprint. Williams finished ahead with a time of 7:20.8, ahead of Ithaca's time of 7:21.2. 6 seat
Emma Caruso reflected that "the 3V had a fantastic first race with the very competitive Ithaca boat. We started down the first 1k and slowly pulled up to a hectic and exiting finish, winning by .4 seconds. Overall, everyone pushed their goals, limits, and ended successfully for the day."
The 1V raced next and was coxed by
Julia Lim and stroked by
Maya Tait, followed by
Emily Hugo,
Erin Barry,
Isabel Mikheev,
Ellie Davis,
Ella Napack,
Prairie Resch and
Gabby Fazzalari in bow seat. Williams raced Washington College first and executed an exciting starting race to their season. Williams was able to pull ahead of Washington off the start and was able to gain open water on the other boat in the first 500 meters. Williams continued to widen the gap between the boats as the race continued and finished with a few boat lengths of open water on the other boat. Williams finished with a time of 6:55, ahead of Washington College's time of 7:25.6. Stroke seat
Maya Tait reflected that
"the first race was a great way to start off the season. We started out strong and took open water within the first 500 and we ended with a lot of open water. It was a great way to stay the day."
The 2V raced Washington College next and was coxed by
Sarah Gantt and stroked by
Anna Owens, followed by
Ellie Iorio,
Marie Brewer,
Abby Murphy,
Claire McDonald,
Riley Galizio,
Ava Rust and
Madeleine Horn in bow seat. The boat had an aggressive start, gained a lead and maintained an open-water margin throughout the first 500. Williams walked away from Washington College throughout the rest of the piece and ended boat lengths ahead. Williams ended with a time of 7:04, 35 seconds ahead of Washington College's time of 7:49. 2 seat
Ava Rust shared that "despite the tailwind, our set was really good, and we had a very quiet competitiveness throughout the first race."
The 4V raced Ithaca next and was coxed by Riku Nakao and stroked by
Alina Ramirez, followed by
Brenda Jaroker,
Arden Fluehr, Bri Palmieri,
Katie McKenna,
Amaka Ibekwe,
Greta Gruber and
Grace Clarke in bow seat. Both boats had a strong start off the line and remained neck and neck through the first 1000 meters. The boats exchanged leads through the body of the race, and Williams began to take a lead by around 500 meters to go. The two boats collided with roughly 350 meters left, which caused an oar to fall out of an oarlock in the Ithaca boat. Williams finished the race first with a time of 7:49, ahead of Ithaca's time of 8:08.5. 5 seat Bri Palmieri shared that "it was super fun, being side by side with Ithaca for majority of the race and finally getting to race after training in Clemson."
The 1V race against Ithaca was an exciting race to watch. Ithaca jumped ahead off the start and gained a boat length lead over Williams by the end of the first 500 meters. Williams stayed composed and relaxed despite this margin and began walking back on Ithaca in the middle of the race. Williams slowly started taking seats back with a steady and strong rhythm, and Williams was even with Ithaca by the 1000-meter mark. As the boats sailed under the bridges, Williams pulled ahead of Ithaca and started walking through them. Williams had an open water lead by 500 meters to go, and gave the sprint their all to finish with a time of 6:48.2, ahead of Ithaca's time of 6:52.6. Stroke seat
Maya Tait shared that "We were down for much of the race but because we stayed really internal and put together, we were able to bring it back and walk on them. It was one of the strongest and most composed races I've had so far."
The 2V had the last race of the day against Ithaca. Williams pushed ahead of Ithaca off the starting line and held their intensity throughout. The boat found an effective rate and pace, and were ahead with open water by 750 meters in. Williams did not let Ithaca walk back on them and retained their impressive lead to finish with a time of 7:04.5, 9 seconds ahead of Ithaca's time of 7:15.5. 2 seat
Ava Rust shared that "the second race went very well. We got open water on them in the first 750, and although under the bridge they walked back up, we took a power 10 and responded strongly. We had open water by 2 lengths by the end."
Eph Assistant Coach
Eileen Russell reflected on the day. "The team started the season on a really strong note. It was great to see some close racing and our crews perform well under pressure. We are excited to get back on Onota and put in a little bit more work before our next race."
Eph head coach
Paula Thoms shared,"The team showed up today with a focus on executing the fastest 2k's they could in each boat. They stayed internal, composed, and raced hard. Each boat identified what their strengths were through the race, and what they can improve next week as we prepare for Wellesley. Thank you to Ithaca College for hosting a great regatta!"
The women left Ithaca proud of their impressive start to the season and eager to carry this momentum forward into next weekend in Boston. With many more weekends of racing to come, the crew is motivated to build on these successful races and get stronger every stroke, together.
