Rutgers rowing posted the fastest time for a collegiate entry in the Women’s Open Heavy Championship Eights event Saturday, Oct. 30 in Philadelphia. The Scarlet Knights ranked second overall, finishing 32 seconds behind the pre-lite group training out of Vesper Boat Club. 

The Head of the Schuylkill (HOSR) organizing committee put a new spin on the traditional head race format. In the traditional time-trial format used in fall head racing, crews are started one at a time, approximately 10 seconds apart. This year at the HOSR, crews were sent off two at a time, though still racing against the clock. 

Rutgers and Navy were paired up off the start. Rutgers took half a length lead in the first half mile, at which point Navy made an offensive push to draw level again. Rutgers countered with a strong defensive move, moving away from Navy decisively.

“It was a real confidence boost for the crew,” said head coach Max Borghard. “Extending the lead on Navy set the tone for the entire race. I was pleased with the performance today, as our 1V8 made up 20-25 seconds on the competition from three weeks ago.” 

Racing in the 1V8 line-up were: coxswain Ellie Kleiman, Kat Geithman, Raelyn Loiselle, Stephanie Ford, Janine Ford, Kathleen Lai, Mary Gromlowicz, Stephanie Nunziato, Christine Hannigan.

The top ten finishers in the 21-boat event were: Vesper 14:59, Rutgers 15:31, Fordham 15:34, Drexel 15:37, Penn A.C. 15:45, Navy 15:51.2, West Virginia 15:51.5, Trinity 16:00, Thompson Boat Center 16:03, Holy Cross 16:07. 

Rutgers 2V8 boat finished 16^th overall in 16:22.  Complete results can be found at Boathouserow.org.