The season kicked off for William and Mary Rowing in northern Virginia, as the varsity squads raced at the Occoquan Chase. With the team running over two varsity eights for both the girls and guys at practice everyday for the first time in a decade, and with the team largely compromised of underclassmen rowing their first race ever as varsity rowers, there was a palpable excitement to get the racing underway.
The varsity men raced two eights and a four against a mix of club and varsity competition. The men’s eights rowed solid and respectable races, placing 8th and 13th in the Open 8 event. While slightly dissapointed with their finish position, the men were happy with the progress made so far in the season, and excited about the fall races still to come. Later in the day, the varsity men’s 4 placed 10th in their race.
The varsity women also entered two eights and a four at the race. In the Open 8 event the women fought tooth and nail every step of the way, beating all other club entries, and only losing to varsity scholarship rowing programs on the way to a nice 6th and 8th place. Later in the day, the varsity women’s four also raced well, finishing 10th.