CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Washington College women's rowing team competed on Sunday morning at its Head of Chester Regatta on the Chester River against Catholic and St. Mary's (Md.) to open its 2023-24 campaign.  The race was conducted on a 4,500-meter stretch of the Chester River.  The Varsity Four highlighted the team's performance with a first-place result that took place in windy conditions.

In the Varsity Eight, the Shorewomen finished third with a time of 24:53.49, which was behind Catholic (22:31.02) and St. Mary's (Md.) (23:26.37 – includes a one-minute penalty for a buoy violation).  The Varsity 4 won its race with a time of 24:15.13, topping Catholic by just over two minutes as it had a time of 26:18.03.  Also racing for WC was the Women's Coxed Four and Women's Single.

Lineups
Washington College Varsity Eight – 24:53.49 (3rd)
Coxswain: Mary Clymer '27
Stroke: Caroline Derringer '27
7: Natalie Wisnoski '24
6: Reagan Klein '27
5: Ella Yeigh '24
4: Faye Webb '25
3: Sam Joyce '25
2: Kelsey Sanderell '27
Bow: Heather Lamont '26
 
Washington College Varsity Four - 24:15.13 (1st)
Coxswain: Alli Tinkham '26
Stroke: Amy MacNair '25
3: Maura Collins '26
2: Jordan Hyde '25
Bow: Alexandra Szynal '24
 
Washington College Coxed Four – 30:04.56
Coxswain: Kamden Richardson '24
Stroke: Kyaran Balin-Brooks '26
3: Keira Anderson '24
2: Jordan Brandt '26
Bow: Isabelle Wagner '27

Washington College Women's Single – 30:30.27
Makaela Oehler '24

Quote From Head Coach Kari Hughes
"I was very proud of how the Team handled the challenging race conditions and how aggressively they raced.  We have a number of young athletes who followed the lead of our veterans and focused on controlling the controllables and doing the best with the conditions they had.  Our Varsity Eight broke a backstay 750m into the course and continued to race the rest of the course even though one of the rowers was unable to actually row.  That shows the grit and resilience this squad has.  The Varsity Four had a fabulous race and went out and did what we asked of them - row aggressively and give it their all.  Our Varsity Coxed Four showed the same grit and resilience as they raced with considerable water in their boat.  And showing her strong fortitude, Makaela Oehler raced the single in conditions that were challenging for our big boats.  What a great way to start the Fall Season and we look forward to continuing training for the Head of the Schuylkill at the end of the month.

Notes
- It was the team's Pride Regatta.

Up Next
10/28 - Head of Schuylkill Regatta (Philadelphia, Pa.)