Women’s crew competes at historic Head of Charles

Dave Pedra

In the rowing world there are several races for each season that a team focuses on and prepares for with the utmost intensity. The Head of the Charles Regatta is one such race.

This contest held annually in Boston for over 40 years attracts the upper echelon of crew teams from all across the country, this year with over 650 crews. From master’s races boasting lineups of former Olympians, to the most accomplished college and high school programs in the country, this two day event is a spectacle for both participants and enthusiasts.

The women’s crew team here at Villanova entered the race this weekend with a first place seeding in the Collegiate Eight event.

After completing the three-mile race up river in poor conditions, the Wildcat women earned a sixth-place finish out of 46 competitors. In fall regattas, crews race against the clock and ‘Nova’s time had them narrowly losing to Marist College and Colgate, but handily defeating the squads of Lehigh and Holy Cross.

Villanova also entered a lightweight four over the weekend. The lightweights finished a respectable 12th, taking into consideration a last-minute replacement for one of the boat’s members who came down with a severe viral infection.

‘Nova’s next race is on the home course of the Schuylkill River here in Philadelphia this weekend. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be competing in the race, which is arguably as prestigious as its Boston counterpart.

This will be the first regatta for the freshmen on both teams and will serve as a venue for a varsity women’s eight eager to regain their top ranking. For more information, you can visit www.hosr.org