BOSTON-The Hobart College rowing team opened up its 2018-19 season at the 54th Head of the Charles Regatta this afternoon. The Statesmen's varsity eight finished fourth in the men's collegiate eight event at the world's largest two day regatta. It was the 12th time in the last 13 seasons that Hobart has finished in the top 10. 

In a 27-crew field, the Statesmen's top boat traversed the 3-mile Charles River course in a time of 16:06.302. Hobart missed out on the podium by 46 hundredths of a second. The University of Michigan won the event with a time of 15:58.108. Drexel and Massachusetts Institute of Technology rounded out the podium. The Statesmen, who were the No. 11 bow ball, put together a steady race. Hobart had the fastest time at the first two check points and were third at the final check point before the finish line. 

The Statesmen varsity eight was powered by sophomore Bart Voto, junior Patrick Overton, junior Alberto Wray, first-year Moritz Marchart, junior Carter Weitekamp, sophomore Conor Donadio, junior Henry Vachon, junior Andrew Krimmel, and sophomore Wyatt Hathaway. By virtue of their finish in the top half of the field, Hobart earned a spot in the 2019 Head of the Charles Regatta. 

In Saturday's alumni eight race, the Statesmen finished 22nd of 47 also earning a spot in next year's regatta. The boat was powered by Sky Drazek, Chris DePaola, Tyler Steving, August Wherry, Davis Muller, Matthew Sylvan, John Hibbard, Carmen Cimini, and Michael Hoepp, and traversed the course with a time of 16:28.555.

Hobart will close out its fall season Nov. 3 at the Cornell Autumn Classic.