High winds, rough waters, and chilly temperatures did not deter Bromfield Acton-Boxborough crews from earning gold in their second race of the season at Sunday’s 36th annual Textile River Regatta on the Merrimack River in Lowell. Challenging weather conditions over the course of the day forced an early end to the regatta, which is the second largest regatta in New England, next to the Head of the Charles. Crews had to cope with lashing winds, whitecaps, and 4-foot-high swells that led the event organizers to cancel most of the afternoon races, including all races for novice rowers.
The whitecaps swamped several boats, sending rowers from other teams into the Merrimack River, with 14 rowers assisted out of the water by the Lowell Fire Department. Three were taken to the hospital as a precaution for hypothermia, according to local media reports.
Despite the poor conditions, the varsity rowers performed well, ending up with several top finishes in their events, including two golds, a silver, and several fourth-place finishes.
The girls 8+ varsity 1 boat edged out Arlington-Belmont by less than half a second to finish with the gold in a time of 22 minutes, 30.43 seconds. Coming in third was the entry from Essex, three seconds off the pace. Rowers were Courtney Robb, Maeve French, Rachel Foote, Grace Ott, Allison Goldsher, Emma Stoffel, Kirsten Thiim, and Kamryn Stecyk, with cox Camryn Farren.
The girls 8+ varsity 2 boat came in fourth in a time of 26:43 for the 6,000-meter race. The boat was coxed by Sarah Bradley with rowers Alissa Kong, Fiona Carrez, Hanna Forgo, Valentine Bulpin, Rebecca Lloyd, Lindsey Hayes, Becky Nitschelm, and Olivia Hemond.
“By the time the second varsity 8 took to the course, the water conditions were almost oceanic, with waves crashing over the rowers’ heads and the sides of the boat,” said Holly Hatton, the girls varsity head coach. “The incoming water added even more resistance to an already long race due to the headwind.”
The varsity girls also entered two 4+ boats, which placed second and 12th. The silver-medal boat was less than half a second behind the winner from Winsor School, with a time of 25:55. There were 29 boats in the field. The girls 4+ varsity 1 featured Goldsher, Ott, Thiim, Stecyk, and coxswain Katie Erdos. The girls 4+ varsity 2 was coxed by Brigitte Lewis with rowers Robb, French, Foote, and Stoffel.
“This was a very impressive start to the season for the girls,” said Hatton. “Increasing fitness has been a priority this fall, and these results show we are heading in the right direction.”
The boys 4+ varsity 1 took the gold in a time of 22:36, seven seconds ahead of second-place St. John’s, in a field of 26 teams. Rowers were Justin Hayes, John Gardiner, Oliver Perrine, and Luca Basile, with cox Grace Heavey.
The boys 8+ varsity 1 came in fourth out of 23 entries with a time of 19:42 for the 6,000-meter race. Rowers were Jack Walsh, James O’Shea, Gardiner, Brian Fay, Perrine, Hayes, Cole Winsor, and Basile, with cox Austin Rotker.
The boys 8+ varsity 2 also placed fourth in their race out of 30 entrants with a time of 21:33. The boat was coxed by Josh Canning with rowers Kyle Into, Andrew Huange, Garrett White, William Thompson, Chris Arsenault, Kyle Veo, Joshua Hollenberg, and Connor Reitler.
The boys 8+ varsity 3 placed 12th in the same field, with rowers Aiden Clarage, Alexander Ewing, Mitchell Densen, Alexander Weaver, Mark Castaneda, Luka Ilic, David Shlimak, and Jonathan McWhite. The boat was coxed by Nilay Maity.
“The boys had a great overall performance in Lowell,” said Brian DeDominici, the varsity boys head coach. “All the boats that got to race significantly improved their positions from last year and handled the conditions well.”
This report is edited from a press release provided by the Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing team. Allen Nitschelm is the parent of a member of the team.
Girls 4+ varsity 1 came home with the silver. From left: cox Katie Erdos, Allison Goldsher, Grace Ott, Kirsten Thiim, and Kamryn Stecyk. (Courtesy photo)
