Women's Rowing | May 12, 2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The La Salle women's rowing team concluded the 2022-23 season with a historic day at the Atlantic 10 Championship on Friday, as it had four boats place in the top six en route to placing sixth overall in the conference championship regatta at Fish Creek.
The Explorers' Varsity 8+, the 2
nd Varsity 8+, the Varsity 4+ and the 2
nd Varsity 4+ each placed in their respective events. The 2
nd Varsity 8+ and 2
nd Varsity 4+ boats led the way fifth-place finishes, while the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ earned sixth-place finishes, respectively.
It marked the first time in La Salle's history that it had four boats place in the Grand Finals at the A-10 Championship in the same year. It also was the first time the Explorers had all three major boats — the V8, 2V8, and V4 — compete and place in the Grand Finals at the A-10 Championship in the same year.
In addition, the Explorers totaled 26 points to finish sixth in the team standings to earn their best finish at the A-10 Championship since 1998, when they took fifth with 15 points. Moreover, the sixth-place finish was the third-highest finish in program history for the Explorers, who took fifth in 1996 and 1998.
"At the beginning of the year, we set some very high goals for ourselves and what we wanted to accomplish at the conference championship. To now stand on the shores of Fish Creek and see us exceed those goals has felt surreal," La Salle head coach Kelsey Franks said. "Our 2V4 showcased our depth, our V4 are some of the most hardworking women on this team, our 2nd Varsity 8 set a new standard in race-day mindset and challenged the entire team to meet that standard, and our Varsity 8 embodied fearlessness as they took a leap of faith and sprinted into the Grand Final by .056 seconds."
The Explorers began making their history after the Varsity 4, coxswained by
Sam Ojeme, placed third in the first heat in a time of 8:48.85. In doing so, the Explorers advanced to the Grand Final for the first time since 2004.
Then, the 2
nd Varsity 8+, coxed by
Arya Singh, secured its spot in the Grand Final after also placing third in its heat in a time of 7:23.86. The 2V8's performance put them in the Grand Final for the first time since 2007.
After that, the Varsity 8+, coxed by
Marissa Paul, made big waves by punching its ticket to the Grand Final for the first time in program history after posting a time of 7:10.71 to take third in its heat.
When the Grand Finals arrived in the afternoon, the 2
nd Varsity 4+, coxed by
Salena Huynh, competed first and took fifth in a tough five-team race in 10:19.24. Duquesne won the event in 9:26.51.
Next up was the Varsity 4+ Grand Final, where the Explorers managed to take sixth in 10:02.37. Rhode Island claimed the gold medal in the six-team race in a time of 8:54.29.
Then, the 2
nd Varsity 8+ competed and managed to rally to beat Duquesne for fifth place in a time of 8:33.99. George Washington won the event in a time of 7:59.48.
Finally, the Varsity 8+ concluded the regatta by clocking an 8:04.24 to earn its sixth-place finish and first top-six placement in program history. George Washington won the race in a time of 7:22.88.
"We had 28 women racing, with our Varsity 8 making the Grand Final for the first time in La Salle history, and the entire team making the Grand Final for the first time in La Salle history, best team finish in 25 years….you can't describe this feeling," Franks said. "We are basking in the results as we close out the year, but this is a team that is constantly searching for more, and we are already counting down the days for next year's championship. I am so unbelievable proud of this squad and staff."
Along with each boat's accomplishments,
Natalie Dee was named to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team for her performance in leading the Varsity 8+ to the Grand Final. The sophomore earned her second All-Atlantic 10 honor in her career after being selected to the Second Team last season.
"Natalie has always been a hard worker, but she became a more vocal leader this year, especially this spring," Franks said. "Once she understood how the team looks up to her and began to lean into bringing positive energy along with her grit, it transformed her boat's performance, and created waves into the rest of the team's performance. That growth is mirrored in her elevation from Second Team last year to First Team this year."
| Varsity 8+ Grand Final |
2nd Varsity 8+ Grand Final |
Varsity 4+ Grand Final |
2nd Varsity 4+ Grand Final |
| 1. G. Washington 7:22.88 |
1. G. Washington 7:59.48 |
1. Rhode Island 8:54.29 |
1. Duquesne 9:26.51 |
| 2. Rhode Island 7:35.67 |
2. Rhode Island 8:07.47 |
2. Duquesne 9:07.83 |
2. Fordham 9:36.35 |
| 3. Saint Joseph's 7:43.85 |
3. Fordham 8:14.16 |
3. G. Washington 9:13.60 |
3. Dayton 9:46.37 |
| 4. UMass 7:47.59 |
4. UMass 8:17.34 |
4. UMass 9:17.85 |
4. Rhode Island 10:12.77 |
| 5. Dayton 7:47.96 |
5. La Salle 8:33.99 |
5. Fordham 9:32.20 |
5. La Salle 10:19.24 |
| 6. La Salle 8:04.24 |
6. Duquesne 8:34.75 |
6. La Salle 10:02.37 |
|
| Varsity 8+ Heat 1 |
2nd Varsity 8+ Heat 2 |
Varsity 4+ Heat 1 |
| 1. Rhode Island 7:06.76 |
1. G. Washington 7:13.62 |
1. Rhode Island 8:12.75 |
| 2. Dayton 7:10.35 |
2. UMass 7:23.20 |
2. Duquesne 8:19.75 |
| 3. La Salle 7:10.71 |
3. La Salle 7:23.86 |
3. La Salle 8:48.85 |
| 4. Fordham 7:10.76 |
4. Saint Joseph's 7:35.58 |
4. Dayton 9:01.59 |
| 5. George Mason 7:39.83 |
|
5. George Mason 9:15.54 |
