PENNSAUKEN, N.J. - Thanks to victories in the Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+ and Second Varsity 4+, the Boston University women's rowing program captured its second consecutive Patriot League championship and fourth overall title as a league member on Friday afternoon at the Cooper River.
The Terriers advanced to the Grand Finals in every event after posting top-two finishes in every heat they raced in. The V8, V4 and the Second Varsity 4+ all finished first in their respective heats, while the Second Varsity 8+Â finished second. BU posted the top time across all heats in the three races it finished first, with the 2V8 boasting the second fastest time overall.
The Second Varsity 4+, coxed by
Alex Aravides and stroked by
Julia Andrist, went wire-to-wire in the Grand Final to win handily in 7:57.821, nearly 25 seconds in front of runner-up Navy.Â
BU's Varsity 4+, coxed by
Kennedy Walker and stroked by
Lilly McSweeney, defended its title with a Grand Final victory in 7:36.502. Gradually building an early lead throughout the course, Navy provided a challenge in the final 500 meters, trailing by merely three seats after their push. The Terriers responded with a strong shove 250 meters from the finish line to cross with two seats of open water in front of the Mids.
The Terrier Second Varsity 8+, coxed by
Valeria Lizarraga Ramirez and stroked by
Nina Palmer, placed fourth in the Grand Final. Georgetown took an early lead it would not relinquish with Navy not far behind. MIT overtook the Terriers in the final 250 meters as BU clocked in at 7:03.530.
With BU, Georgetown and Navy vying for the crown heading into the Varsity 8+, BU, coxed by
Audrey Lucerne and stroked by
Sotiria Angou, blitzed off the start and established a full length of open water by the 1,000-meter mark, cruising to its second straight win in the event with a time of 6:42.587, over seven seconds in front of runner-up MIT. The BU crew was named the Patriot League Boat of the Year for its efforts.
Director of women's rowing
Malcolm Doldron was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. The award is voted on by the head coaches of the Patriot League teams.Â
The Terriers captured the Patriot League's automatic qualifier for the 2025 NCAA Championships. Following the selection show, BU will travel to Mercer County Park in West Windsor, N.J. for the regatta, which will take place from May 30 to June 1.
RESULTS
Varsity 8+
Heat 1
- BU - 6:52.564
- Georgetown - 7:00.204
- Bucknell - 7:01.077
- Lehigh - 7:06.959
- Loyola Maryland - 7:32.726
Grand Finals
- BU - 6:42.587
- MIT - 6:49.987
- Georgetown - 6:52.805
- Bucknell - 6:55.616
- Colgate - 6:56.647
- Navy - 6:57.565
Second Varsity 8+
Heat 1
- Navy - 6:59.804
- BU - 7:04.388
- Bucknell - 7:11.255
- Lehigh - 7:14.617
- Loyola Maryland - 7:56.146
Grand Finals
- Georgetown - 6:58.332
- Navy - 7:00.270
- MIT - 7:00.843
- BU - 7:03.530
- Bucknell - 7:16.250
- Holy Cross - 7:22.363
Varsity 4+
Heat 1
- BU - 7:51.547
- Bucknell - 7:59.893
- MIT - 8:00.345
- Lehigh - 8:06.742
- Loyola Maryland - 8:52.752
Grand Finals
- BU - 7:36.502
- Navy - 7:40.584
- Georgetown - 7:49.611
- MIT - 8:10.109
- Holy Cross - 8:22.480
- Bucknell - 8:24.642
Second Varsity 4+
Heat 1
- BU - 7:56.441
- Navy - 8:06.714
- Bucknell - 8:26.857
- Lehigh - 8:43.326
- Loyola Maryland - 9:05.006
Grand Finals
- BU - 7:57.821
- Navy - 8:21.443
- MIT - 8:23.250
- Bucknell - 8:32.058
- Holy Cross - 8:37.976
- Georgetown - 10:42.376
TEAM SCORES
1. BU - 289.5
2. Georgetown - 267
3. MIT - 263.5
4. Navy - 204
5. Bucknell - 193
6. Colgate - 131
7. Holy Cross - 127.5
8. Lehigh - 66.5
9. Loyola Maryland - 55.5
LINEUPS
Varsity 8+
Cox:
Audrey Lucerne
Stroke:
Sotiria Angou
7:
Ingrid Eshuis
6:
Lydia Pelton
5:
Gigi Williams
4:
Kat Robbins
3:
Olivia Bencze
2:
Raylynn Boston
Bow:
Sarah Stacey
Second Varsity 8+
Cox:
Valeria Lizarraga Ramirez
Stroke:
Nina Palmer
7:
Kate Barham
6:
Sally Thoden
5:
Hannah Look
4:
Tatum Swanwick
3:
Luisa Reussner
2:
Aryn Bailey
Bow:
Mariana Forehand
Varsity 4+
Cox:
Kennedy Walker
Stroke:
Lilly McSweeney
3:
Elisabeth Arnason
2:
Viktoria Zruttová
Bow:
Ada Giraldo
Second Varsity 4+
Cox:
Alex Aravides
Stroke:
Julia Andrist
3:
Maeve Keohane
2:
Sonya Carson
Bow:
Ruthie Wix