The Susquehanna crew team competed at the prestigious Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in Philadelphia on October 26—an event featuring over 2300 athletes from more than 230 clubs, making it one of the largest in the region. For 13 River Hawks and new head coach Erik King, this marked the beginning of the 4000-meter fall season. The weather initially played along perfectly with sunny skies and a cool temperature, but the increasing wind later added a challenging twist.
The journey began Friday evening with a group bus trip to Philadelphia, where the team spent the night at a hotel. Anticipation and excitement filled the air, especially among those competing in their first regatta. The day started early, at 6:30 a.m. as we made our way to the regatta site. We were one of the first teams to arrive, setting up our boats while King was already on the water competing in the Men's Master Lightweight (50-59) category. He showcased his skills and secured a respectable 4th place out of 5 boats, setting an inspiring tone for the day.
At 9:45 a.m., it was time for our Men's Novice team to make their debut. Under King's guidance and just five weeks of intense training, the team—comprising Micheal Harris, Enno Stolzenberg, Cooper Rowe, Ryan Breslin, and Hannah Gillespie as coxswain—transformed from beginners into confident rowers. They placed 13th out of 14 boats, a significant achievement that brought smiles and pride to the crew after successfully navigating the course.
As the novice men returned, excited about their first regatta, the Varsity Men took to the water with Keith Sanders, Gus Clairvoyant, Ethan Bell, Wes Harkins, and Grace Lendacky as coxswain. Despite increasing winds that added to the challenge, they rowed to a 33rd place finish, demonstrating their experience and determination. Soon after, the Varsity Women—Meghan Cook, Lindsay Morrell, Hailey Austin, Zoe Laffler, and Hannah Gillespie as coxswain—braved the now-tougher conditions and secured 69th place out of 76, a testament to their perseverance against the wind.
Following a brief break, during which athletes explored food trucks and soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the event, the singles races began. Ethan Bell, already seasoned from his previous race, competed in the Men's College Single category. Despite a time penalty for straying from the course, he placed 4th out of 6. Max Steffen, with a year's experience under his belt, also competed and placed 6th. In the women's category, Meghan Cook took 4th out of 5, adding another solid result for the team.
The day's final race featured Keith Sanders and Gus Clairvoyant's second appearance, where they finished 6th. Notably, our Novice Women's team, though unable to compete due to illness, showed unwavering support by cheering on their teammates and helping with dock work. The team's spirit was bolstered by the presence of supportive parents who provided food and encouragement, and by alumni who came to cheer the team on.
The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta was a promising start to the fall season, filled with determination and camaraderie. Each athlete showcased resilience, embodying the hard work and unity that drive our team's success.
