Men and Women’s Rowing Launch into Spring Season

Ashley McDermott ’26

Executive Sports Editor

The Trinity College Rowing teams have begun their spring season, with both the men’s and women’s teams dominating their first two races. These opening races have proved the men’s commitment to returning to the championship and the women’s team racing to success.

After claiming the 2025 Intercollegiate Rowing Association championship title, the men’s program entered this spring with confidence. The IRA Division III National Championship last year pushed Trinity into the top spot, the team is committed to maintaining their elite standard. They raced in the Emerson Cup and the Knecht Cup competing against crews from across multiple divisions.

The one varsity eight boat claimed two wins, beating Tufts by nine seconds and then defeating Coast Guard in 25 second lead. The 3V8 boat captured two wins, while the 2V8 and 4V8 boats split their two races with a win and a loss. The team also claimed the Knecht Cup, finishing out MIT in a tight finish.The third and fourth varsity 8 claimed first and second place in the Division II and Division III Varsity 8 Final.

The Women’s team showed the same conviction with victories at the Malden Racing Series and the Lake Quinsigamond. The 1V8 boat cruised past the Jumbos and the Coast Guard, while the 2V8 boat were raced out by Tufts, but crushed the Bears in 39 seconds. However, the women’s team took home two titles from Lake Quinsigamond hosted in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Varsity Eight boat narrowly beat out Bates by 2.2 seconds. The boat was led by Julianna Boris ’26, Eliza Terrell ’28, Zoe Ritter ’28, Tessa Griffin ’27, Allie Newman ’26, Kaitlyn Mackin ’26, Scarlette Coke ’29, Addie Newman ’27 and Sophia Romano ’26. The second varsity eight boat finished in first, pushing ahead of William Smith. The team holds a blend of upperclassmen leaders and significant underclassmen rowers that have blended skills and speed to reach the finish line against Tufts, Hamilton, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and at their regatta. 

These races from the past two weeks have highlighted the teams’ dedication to growth and commitment to success. The teams are set to start each race with powerful speed from the outset, and closing with exceptional gains. Both the men and women’s teams have proven a steady pace, with an incremental push at the close, making significant distance claiming their victories. 

One key challenge faced by men and women’s rowing, despite their success, is to maintain this upward trajectory in each race. The teams have proven physical endurance and mental focus under immense pressure, implicating an exciting and competitive season ahead. With their resilience being tested at each race, the teams have established premising standings in their early races, a great feat for opening races. 

The men’s team will continue their climb to a championship title, while the women’s team builds upon their momentous victory. Each team focuses on consistent stroke timing and overall rhythm of the boat, creating effective combinations on the water.