Boston University
Patriot League Championship
Women's Rowing Wins Third Straight Patriot League Title
May 15, 2026 | Women's Rowing
The Terriers finished with 319.5 points, well clear of second-place Bucknell (242 points). Navy finished third (209), followed by MIT (190), Georgetown (183.5), Holy Cross (157.5), Colgate (151.5), Lehigh (108) and Loyola Maryland (36).
All four Terrier boats advanced to their respective grand finals thanks to four first-place finishes in morning racing. The 2V4+, V4+ and 2V8+ all finished with the top time across all heats, with the V8+ posting the second fastest time overall.
The second varsity four boat, coxed by sophomore Molly Bernardo and stroked by junior Ruthie Wix, opened the afternoon session by winning the grand final in 7:26.480, 9.271 seconds ahead of second-place Navy. It was that boat's fourth straight victory in a Patriot League grand final.
The varsity four boat, coxed by senior Maya Wiisanen and stroked by freshman Louise Forrester, followed with a victory of its own. The Terriers pulled ahead with about 1300 meters to go and never relinquished their advantage, crossing the line in 7:16.549, nearly eight seconds clear of runner-up Georgetown.
Coxed by sophomore Sydney Caragher and stroked by sophomore Gigi Williams, the second varsity eight boat went wire-to-wire and finished in 6:33.426, almost seven seconds ahead of second-place Holy Cross.
Despite a late push by Bucknell over the final 300 meters, the varsity eight boat, coxed by sophomore Laura Leong and stroked by freshman Marta Carfagni, claimed first with a time of 6:26.042, nearly two seconds ahead of the Bison.
The Terriers earned Boat of the Year honors for the third straight year and sixth time overall (2014, 2016, 2017, 2024-26), with the V8+ earning that accolade. Director of Women's Rowing Malcolm Doldron, associate head coach Lizzie Mitchell, assistant coach Ciara O'Sullivan and boatman Russ Cone were honored as Patriot League Coaching Staff of the Year.
BU earned the Patriot League's automatic NCAA bid and will travel to Gainesville, Georgia, for the 2026 NCAA Championships at Lake Lanier Olympic Park from May 29-31.
Varsity 8+
Finals
- BU – 6:26.042
- Bucknell – 6:28.018
- MIT – 6:30.845
- Navy – 6:31.560
- Colgate – 6:34.802
- Georgetown – 6:44.645
- BU – 6:39.697
- MIT – 6:46.930
- Colgate – 6:53.370
- Lehigh – 6:57.670
- Loyola Maryland – 7:11.148
Second Varsity 8+
Finals
- BU – 6:33.426
- Holy Cross – 6:40.090
- Bucknell – 6:41.046
- Georgetown – 6:43.259
- Navy – 6:51.684
- Lehigh – 6:54.655
- BU – 6:42.618
- Georgetown – 6:48.707
- Bucknell – 6:57.284
- Colgate – 7:08.958
- Loyola Maryland – 7:14.155
Varsity 4+
Finals
- BU – 7:16.549
- Georgetown – 7:24.421
- Navy – 7:28.541
- Colgate – 7:36.787
- Lehigh – 7:43.287
- MIT – 7:46.367
- BU – 7:37.502
- MIT – 7:47.146
- Colgate – 7:49.898
- Holy Cross – 7:56.718
- Loyola Maryland – 8:52.895
Second Varsity 4+
Finals
- BU – 7:26.480
- Navy – 7:35.751
- Georgetown – 7:38.596
- Lehigh – 7:55.865
- Holy Cross – 8:00.574
- Bucknell – 8:02.656
- BU – 7:50.828
- Bucknell – 8:28.075
- Holy Cross – 8:40.891
- Loyola Maryland – 9:04.135
LINEUPS
Varsity 8+
Bow: Sarah Stacey
2: Aryn Bailey
3: Olivia Bencze
4: Tatum Swanwick
5: Ingrid Eshuis
6: Raylynn Boston
7: Kate Barham
Stroke: Marta Carfagni
Cox: Laura Leong
Second Varsity 8+
Bow: Elisabeth Arnason
2: Maeve Keohane
3: Ada Giraldo
4: Sophia Williams
5: Lydia Pelton
6: Emily Over
7: Grace Wellington
Stroke: Gigi Williams
Cox: Sydney Caragher
Varsity 4+
Cox: Maya Wiisanen
Bow: Cece Engel
2: Abby Berg
3: Emma Cuzzocrea
Stroke: Louise Forrester
Second Varsity 4+
Cox: Molly Bernardo
Bow: Charlie Szlachta
2: Anna Woodside
3: Rowan Giles
Stroke: Ruthie Wix
