Just two weeks after the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, the crew team was back in action, boarding the bus at 6:30 AM for a trip to West Windsor, New Jersey, where they would compete in the Philadelphia Frostbite Regatta. Unlike the long 4000-meter head races they were accustomed to, this regatta would feature a 2000-meter sprint—meaning a shift in strategy from endurance to raw power. With only two weeks to prepare for this new format, there was a mix of nerves and excitement in the air, particularly among the Novice athletes.
Around noon, it was time for
Keith Sanders,
Augusma Clairvoyant and Maxwell Steffan, alongside Coach Erik King, to take to the water for the Men's Open Double. From the moment the race began, it was clear this would be a thrilling contest. The boats were neck-and-neck throughout the 2000 meters, and the competition was fierce. King and Steffan finished in second place, just a few seconds behind the winners, while Sanders and Clairvoyant crossed the line in fourth.
Not long after returning to shore, it was time for the Men's Novice Four to race. The crew, consisting of
Michael Harris,
Enno Stolzenberg,
James Lennon,
Ryan Breslin, and
Keith Sanders as coxswain, took their place at the starting line at 1:18 PM. The team had a bit of a rough start, but they didn't let that discourage them. They fought hard through the race and managed to secure a strong fifth-place finish, showing great teamwork and determination.
Meanwhile, the Novice Women were preparing for their race. Due to illness, they had to compete in the Varsity Women's Four category, with a Varsity member filling in. Their race took place at 1:24 PM, with
Meghan Cook,
T Skindzier,
Kenya Peckman,
Alessia Revelli, and
Hannah Gillespie as coxswain. Despite the challenging circumstances, the crew raced hard and finished in a solid sixth place in their fleet, proving their resilience and determination.
By the end of the day, the team was exhausted but filled with valuable experience that would benefit them in the upcoming spring sprint season. The Philadelphia Frostbite Regatta offered an ideal opportunity to sharpen their sprinting abilities and bring the fall season to a strong conclusion. The excitement and camaraderie shared throughout the day left everyone eager for the 2000-meter challenges ahead. As the season wrapped up, the team felt energized and ready for the next chapter, looking forward to the competitive opportunities that awaited them in the spring.
