PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The Marietta College women's rowing team overcame equipment problems in their Friday heat to earn a bronze medal on Saturday (May 14) afternoon at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta on the Schuylkill River.
"Dedicating our new 8+ shell, the Persistence, this weekend could not have been more aptly timed," Marietta head coach
Abby Lord said. "It took great persistence to continue on after going down the course without a skeg and rudder in the heat on Friday."
The Pioneers hit some debris in the warmup lane on the way to the starting line for the Division III varsity heavyweight 8+ heats on Friday causing them to lose their skeg and rudder. In order to advance out of the heats, race rules required Marietta to cross the finish line.
Without steering, Marietta slowly made its way down the course and finished several minutes behind the lead crews. By virtue of completing the course, the Pioneers advanced into the Saturday repechage.
After repairing their shell, the Pioneers (6:56.592) won their repechage race by open water on Washington College B (7:09.734) and Catholic (8:00.134) earning a spot in the Grand Final.
"We had a strong race in the reps but had a few areas to clean up in the grand final," Lord said. "In the grand final, we put together our best race of the season, including an impressive sprint to win bronze. I am proud of these women for continually tackling every challenge that has come their way this season with humility and persistence."
Marietta had a strong showing in the Grand Final placing third behind Bryn Mawr and Washington College. Bryn Mawr posted a winning time of 6:52.384, followed by Washington College (6:55.892), Marietta (7:00.310), Stockton (7:00.698), Simmons (7:11.320), and Washington College B (7:16.396).
The Pioneers concluded their 2022 racing season at the Dad vail Regatta.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
Results
Women's Division III Varsity Heavyweight Eight
Heats
1. Washington College (6:49.582), 2. Stockton (7:03.974), 3. Washington College B (10:28.598), 4. Marietta (11:12.826)
Repechage
1. Marietta (6:56.592), 2. Washington College B (7:09.734), 3. Catholic (8:00.134)
Grand Final
1. Bryn Mawr (6:52.384), 2. Washington College (6:55.892), 3. Marietta (7:00.310), 4. Stockton (7:00.698), 5. Simmons (7:11.320), 6. Washington College B (7:16.396)
Coxswain:
Michaela Donnelly (Philadelphia, Pa./Science Leadership Academy), Stroke:
Rebecca Guhde (Signal Mountain, Tenn./Girls Prep), 7:
Madison Jennings (Raleigh, N.C./Longleaf School of the Arts), 6:
Claudia Frueh (Nashport, Ohio/Tri-Valley), 5:
Morgan Szucs (Woodhaven, Mich./Carlson), 4:
Michaela Hess (Painesville, Ohio/Fairport Harding), 3:
Catherine Wadih (Cincinnati, Ohio/Clark Montessori), 2:
Katie Lively (New Matamoras, Ohio/River), Bow:
Morgan Ahlstrom (Satellite Beach, Fla./Lake Braddock)
