For the second straight week, the William Smith rowing team was recognized by the Liberty League with its Boat of the Week Award. The Herons' varsity four received the award this week after its performance at the Head of the Charles Sunday.
 
William Smith's four, which was powered by senior Lizzy Whitney, senior Leah Wiebe, sophomore Eden Grim, senior Cheyenne Muldowney and senior Meghan Bartholomay, turned in a dominant performance in the Women's Collegiate 4, claiming the Herons' first gold medal at the event. They powered down the 3-mile Charles River course with a time of 18:13.848, stopping the clock 30 seconds faster than the second-place boat.
 
The Herons, who started second, 10 seconds behind last year's champions, passed the boat in front of them by the first checkpoint. William Smith turned in the fastest split time at each of the three checkpoints on their way to the gold medal.
 
It was the fifth time in program history the Herons reached the podium at the Charles and the third time they finished in the top three in the collegiate four event.
 
William Smith will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 24, when it hosts the annual HWS Challenge on the Canal.