The Hobart and William Smith rowing teams will begin their 2026-27 campaigns on Saturday, Oct. 10, when they head to Rochester, New York, for the Head of the Genesee Regatta.
 
Hobart is scheduled to compete in four events, starting with the Men's Collegiate 4+ at 10 a.m. The Herons will race in four events as well starting with the Women's Collegiate 8+, which will start at 10:15 a.m.
 
The Herons, who finished last year ranked third in the final Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Poll of the season, return 24 athletes from that squad, including 13 of the 18 athletes that competed at the NCAA national championship regatta. William Smith was third as a team at last year's NCAA championships, matching the best result in program history. 
 
Lizzy Whitney, Alessandra Gialanella, Eden Grim, Leah Wiebe and Megan Barthomlomay highlight the returning group. They were all part of the 2026 Liberty League Crew of the Year. Gialanella and Whitney also received All-Liberty League recognition.
 
Hobart and William Smith Director of Rowing and Heron Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen is back for his sixth season in charge of William Smith. In addition to 10 newcomers, the Herons welcome back Linnea Darius '26, who will serve as an assistant coach. Darius was All-American and a finalist for the 2026 CRCA Athlete of the Year Award.
 
Last season at the Head of the Genesee, William Smith won four events.
 
Hobart, which finished the 2025-26 season 29th in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Ten Eyck team points standings, returns 25 athletes from last year's squad. Five athletes from Hobart's top boat highlight the returning group.
 
Head Coach Chris Kerber is back for his fourth season in charge of the Statesmen. He welcomes 13 new rowers and a new assistant coach in Tibor Teleki '26.
 
Last year at the Head of the Genesee, Hobart won gold medals in four of the five events it competed in. The Statesmen won silver medals in all five events as well.