ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The William Smith rowing team began its 2024-25 season winning six medals, including two golds, at the Head of the Genesee Regatta today. The Herons posted the fastest time in the varsity four and the varsity pair races.
 
In addition, William Smith won a silver medal in the varsity eight and varsity four races and added silver and bronze medals in the varsity pair.
 
Crews raced against the clock down the 5-kilometer racecourse at the Genesee Waterways Center.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"It was a great day for the team," Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen said. "We've had a rigorous fall training block with lots of improvements in critical areas that showed up on the racecourse for the team today. It made racing fun and fast. To share a day like today with friends, alumnae and our families was a blast!"
 
VARSITY FOUR

• The varsity four races were the first out of the starting gate.
• William Smith had three entries in the event, finishing first, second and eighth in a 15-boat field.
• The Herons "A" entry of Ava Lee, Meghan Bartholomay, Leah Wiebe, Isabella De Nes and Olivia Sainsbury stopped the clock at 20:41.783 to claim the gold medal. They won the event by 26 seconds.
• William Smith's "B" entry of Michaela Greco, Olivia Helms, Aubrianna Ryan, Grace Jung and Lily Keefe placed second, posting a time of 21:08.243.
• Skylar Strong, Isabella Foggetti, Parker Condon, Isabella Falcone and Anna Pedone were eighth.

 
WOMEN'S OPEN 2-

• William Smith claimed all three spots on the podium in the pairs race, which started at 11:45 a.m.
• Bartholmay and Wiebe claimed their second gold of the day. They powered down the 5-kilometer course finishing with a time of 22:35.137. Bartholmay and Wiebe won the event by over 39 seconds.
• Alayna Wian and Jung claimed the silver medal with a time of 23:14.698.
• Sainsbury and De Nes captured the bronze medal, finishing with a time of 23:30.024.
• Mariee Voss and Janeciah Cunningham were fourth, Raya Schwartz and Keefe took fifth and Helms and Ryan were sixth.

 
 
VARSITY EIGHT

• William Smith had one entry in the varsity eight race.
• The Herons finished second in an eight-boat field.
• The boat was powered by Lee, Wian, Schwartz, Condon, Emily Clark, Voss Cunningham, Jacquelyn Sullivan and Grace Ann Tyne. They stopped the clock with a time of 19:46.468.
• Rochester Institute of Technology won the gold medal by 23 seconds.   

 
UP NEXT
William Smith will be back in next weekend when it heads to Boston for the Head of the Charles Regatta.