In a remarkable display of skill and teamwork, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s sailing team clinched victory at the Christopher Newport University Women’s Fleet Race on Saturday, March 9. Meanwhile, the college’s No. 12 ranked open sailing team showcased their prowess by finishing fourth at the St. Mary’s College Team Race over the weekend of March 9-10.
The event, marked by variable winds that escalated from five to 25 knots throughout the day, allowed for the completion of all 12 races on Saturday. The women’s team dominated the six-team competition with an impressive low score of 89 points, clearly outperforming their rivals.
In Division A, the Seahawks led by sophomore Cho-Cho Williams from Norfolk, VA, along with crew members sophomore Emily Shioutakon of Rockville, MD, and first-year Grace Phillips from Stevensville, MD, topped the leaderboard with 41 points. This team outdistanced their nearest competitor, Christopher Newport, by a significant 13-point margin. Williams and Shioutakon notably triumphed in four races and secured seven top-3 finishes. Williams paired with Phillips also scored a first-place finish in another race, highlighting their dominance.
The success continued in Division B where St. Mary’s finished second with 48 points, just six points behind CNU. The team comprised senior Lily Flack of Stonington, CT, and first-year Lina Carper from Carlsbad, CA, as skippers, with first-year Mary Hill of Poquoson, VA, and junior Lillian Newman from Annapolis, MD, as crew members. Their collaborative efforts resulted in multiple top-3 finishes, including victories in two races, showcasing the depth of talent within the team.
On the men’s side, the No. 12 ranked open sailing team concluded the St. Mary’s College Team Race in fourth place among nine teams, with an overall performance of 11 wins and 10 losses. The team demonstrated strong resilience and strategic acumen, notably achieving a 3-5 record in Round 1 and improving to a 6-2 record in Round 2, which included a flawless 1-2-3 victory over Maritime.
The championship round saw the Seahawks secure two more wins, underscoring their competitive spirit and skill. The team, led by senior captain Madison Bashaw, and juniors Charlie Anderson and Owen Hennessey, with crew members seniors Rachel O’Neill, Katherine Shermock, Dexter Mueller, junior captain Zoe Hoctor, and sophomore Raam Fox, displayed remarkable teamwork and dedication.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to participate in several upcoming events, including the SMC Women’s Fleet Race and the Graham Hall Team Race in Annapolis, MD, both scheduled for March 16-17, as well as the Washington College Team Race in Chestertown, MD. These competitions will provide further opportunities for the St. Mary’s College sailing teams to showcase their talents and continue their pursuit of excellence on the water.
