Updated: Sept. 25, 2016 at 7:36 p.m.
This post was written by Hatchet reporter Maddie Rundlett.
The women’s rowing team opened its fall schedule at the Head of the Potomac Regatta, an annual event hosted by the Potomac Boat Club. The Colonials raced in two events, the four-with and the open eight.
For GW, the season-opening regatta was an opportunity to preview the team’s lineup for the season. Rather than a set starting crew, GW fielded two crews for the eight. The “buff’ and the “blue” crews were mixed lineups from both varsity teams to determine which rowers work best together.
“It’s a fun opportunity to get out there and gauge what type of team we’re going to be,” head coach Eric Carcich said.
Carcich noted a strong sense of unity and a driven mentality within the team this season.
GW had a strong showing at the regatta, placing in the top three in both the four and eight races. Led by senior coxswain Rachel Schwartz, the four crew finished second (17:44.7) out of 11 teams. The Georgetown team placed first in the event (17:16.9).
In the women’s eight, GW went with two varsity crews. The crew led by junior coxswain Honore Olson finished second (15:57.3) behind Georgetown (15:26.9). The second crew, led by senior coxswain Lydia Barber finished third (16:01.0). The JV women’s crew also finished their race with a sixth-place finish (16:22.9).
Entering his eighth year as head coach, Carcich said he hopes to improve from last year’s results.
In the 2015–2016 season GW placed fifth overall in the Atlantic 10 Championship. Women’s rowing had two top-three finishes in A-10 Championships with Carcich at the helm.
“We have high goals for this spring,” Carcich said. “It’s a 165-day season, and we’re still developing.”
Carcich said fine-tuning the team’s techniques throughout the season will be key. Small improvements will lead the team into a strong spring campaign, he said.
“We’re looking to go as fast as we can for 215, 220 strokes a day to prepare for the championship in the spring,” he said.
The women’s rowing team’s next race is at the Navy Day Regatta in Philadelphia Oct. 15.
