The University of Rhode Island rowing team was unable to win any of its races against strong competition this past Saturday, as the Rams faced off against Northeastern University and Columbia University at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield, N.J.
The Rams competed in one Varsity 4 and three Varsity 8 races, where the team remained competitive but ultimately was unable to get the job done.
Rhode Island’s top Varsity 8 boat delivered the closest finish on the day, with a time of 7:42.07, giving the Rams third place. Columbia secured first place in the race with a time of 7:20.11, with Northeastern following behind in second, with a time of 7:36.25.
Fourth-year coxswain Lily Stasaitis led the Varsity 8 lineup consisting of fourth-years Emma Barnhart and Bethany Nordstrom, second-years Liz Mayer and Nora Lake, first-years Danika Rogers, Sierra Monroe, Sasha Hanewald and third-year Brigid McShea.
In the second Varsity 8 race, the Rams found themselves in third place once again, posting a time of 8:09.38. This time, Northeastern took the top spot with a time of 7:48.65, just barely beating out Columbia, which crossed the finish line with a time of 7:51.54.
The second Varsity 8 boat was led by first-year coxswain Rachel Bauhaus. This team was made up of third-years Amanda Cubit, Anna Kann, Payton Klein and Anna Smith, fourth-years Emma Larsh and Abigail Galayda, second-year Sage Sabatino and first-year Charlotte Aeder.
This trend continued into the third Varsity 8 race, where Rhode Island recorded a time of 8:12.72 and placed third once again. Columbia came in first, finishing in 7:42.12. Northeastern finished with a time of 7:48.58, placing them second.
The third Varsity 8 boat for the Rams was led by first-year coxswain Amelia Warren. The crew included third-years Maddy Papik, Halie Perkins, Costanza Proietti and Eryn Wale alongside fourth-years Emma Brookins, Amelia Katula and Savannah Sylvester-Neal. They were joined by first-year Linea Jacobsen.
Despite the results, the Rams demonstrated consistency as they finished within the same 30-second period for each of the Varsity 8 races.
Rhode Island also competed in the first Varsity 4 race, placing third again with a time of 9:29.58. Columbia swept the competition in both events, as the Lions won the Varsity 4 race with a time of 8:43.38. Northeastern found itself finishing second with a time of 9:10.47.
First-year coxswain Kate Sullivan led the Varsity 4 squad that consisted of fourth-year Irma Accius, third-year Maia Hembruff, and the first-year pair of Sophia Thyer and Lucy Lyons.
Looking forward, Rhode Island sets its sights on Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, N.Y., where the Rams will compete against Cornell University, Bucknell University and Ithaca College Saturday.
