ROCHESTER, N.Y.-The William Smith rowing team opened its 2025-26 season in convincing fashion Saturday, winning four events at the Head of the Genesee.  
 
Racing against teams from Rochester Institute of Technology, Binghamton, Ithaca, Rochester, St. Lawrence and St. John Fisher, the Herons finished first overall in all the events that were entered into. Racers were met with rainy, overcast conditions and a light tailwind.
 
Crews raced against the clock down the 5-kilometer racecourse at the Genesee Waterways Center.
 
WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE 4

• The Herons opened the day in the Collegiate Four event, competing in a 10-boat field.
• William Smith's V4 was driven by Lizzy Whitney, Meghan Bartholomay, Aubrianna Ryan, Kate Abdalla, and Linnea Darius.
• Over the start line first, the Herons were determined. Powering through, the women rowed at a stroke rate of 30. The Herons crossed the line with a time of 19:33.833. They beat Rochester by 51.955 seconds, bringing home the first gold of the day.

 
 
WOMEN'S OPEN 2

• William Smith went out in pairs next. In a six-boat field, the Herons had five entries.
• The Herons' pairs consisted of Nora Smith and Eden Grim, Lily Liflander and Paige Barnhart, Mariee Voss and Dani Krenzer, Alessandra Gialanella and Merideth Cullen, Kate Oberg and Vicentica Fuller.
• The Herons first-fifth, distancing themselves from the RIT pair. Each pair steered an excellent line, demonstrating their understanding of the course's very technical turns.
• Voss and Krenzer won gold with a time of 21:43.013.
• Liflander and Barnhart took silver with a time of 21:47.023.
• Gialanella and Cullen brought home bronze with a time of 22:02.757.

 
NOVICE FOUR

• The Novice Four was powered by Skylar Strong, Oberg, Izzy Ramirez, Keira Heller, and Fuller.
• In their collegiate debut as a team, the novice boat finished with a time of 21:28.611, two minutes ahead of the second-place boat. In finishing first, they claimed their first collegiate medals.

 
 
COLLIEGATE EIGHTS

• In their final race of the day, the women's collegiate eight, the Herons finished first and second.
• The Heron's first varsity eight was driven by Michaela Greco, Ryan, Abdalla, Darius, Cheyenne Muldowney, Grace Jung, Raya Schwartz, Olivia Helms, and Bartholomay.
• The women raced forcefully from start to finish, taking off and leaving their competition behind. The 1V8 took home a gold medal with a time of 18:06.257.
• William Smith's 2V8 consisted of Whitney, Eden Grim, Smith, Liflander, Barnhart, Gialanella, Cullen, Krenzer, and Voss.
• Taking sharp turns and keeping a quick pace, the 2V8 crossed the line with a time of 18:33.811, winning a silver medal.

 
COACH'S CORNER
"Today was a really fun day!" Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen said. "Our team has been fueled by optimism and intention all fall. To see that focus and teamwork pay off with wins in every event we entered was special. Our first-year women have added speed and spirit to the team which was seen in dominance of the Freshman/Novice 4 event and in the parity across all 5 of our pairs racing today. Our veterans have been electric in their efforts as well. It was fun to see them enjoy their races today in the women's 4+ and then to go 1-2 in the Women's 8+ with our first year Herons was a super special way to end a very strong debut for our team!"
 
UP NEXT
William Smith will be back in action next Sunday, Oct. 19, when it heads to Boston for the Head of the Charles.