The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Men’s Rowing team showcased strong performances at the Upper Schuylkill Challenge in Pennsylvania on Saturday, competing against regional rivals in two 2000-meter races. The Seahawks’ First Varsity 8+ squad secured second place with a time of 6:42.8, while the Second Varsity 8+ team claimed victory in their race against Villanova University, finishing with a time of 6:45.7.
In the First Varsity 8+ event, St. Mary’s faced off against Villanova University and Franklin & Marshall College. The Seahawks trailed Villanova, which took first place, but outpaced Franklin & Marshall to earn a solid second-place finish. The crew, led by coxswain Hayden Wolinski, featured rowers Tomas Meisner, Finn Parkinson, Nathan Girma, Myles Sampson, Ismail Meraj, Will Kendrick, Hank Russell, and Jonathan Rand-Crawford. The 6:42.8 finish reflects the team’s competitive edge in a tightly contested race on the Schuylkill River, a historic rowing venue known for hosting events like the Dad Vail Regatta, according to the Schuylkill Navy’s official site.
The Second Varsity 8+ squad delivered the highlight of the day for St. Mary’s, defeating Villanova in a head-to-head matchup. With coxswain Ashley Fenwick steering the boat, the lineup included Huck Dunn, Noah Hanscom, Joel Galarza, Neil Haggerty, Nobu Smith, Nic Bloom, Chris Nemes, and Chris Leonard. Their winning time of 6:45.7 underscored the depth of talent within the Seahawks’ roster and marked a significant achievement in their spring season.
The Upper Schuylkill Challenge served as a key tune-up for St. Mary’s as they prepare for their next competition, the Knecht Cup, scheduled for April 12 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The Knecht Cup, one of the largest collegiate rowing regattas in the region, will provide another opportunity for the Seahawks to test their skills against a broader field, according to the event’s official website.
Rowing on the Schuylkill River has a rich tradition, with the waterway hosting competitive events since the 19th century. The Upper Schuylkill Challenge draws teams from the Mid-Atlantic region, offering a mix of varsity and club crews a chance to gauge their progress early in the season. For St. Mary’s, the results signal a promising trajectory as they build momentum heading into the heart of their schedule.
The First Varsity 8+ lineup demonstrated cohesion and stamina in their runner-up effort. Wolinski, as coxswain, played a critical role in maintaining rhythm and strategy over the 2000-meter course. Meisner, positioned at stroke, set the pace, while the power of Parkinson, Girma, and Sampson in the engine room helped propel the boat forward. The bow pair of Russell and Rand-Crawford provided stability to round out a balanced crew.
Meanwhile, the Second Varsity 8+ victory highlighted the program’s depth. Fenwick’s leadership from the coxswain seat guided a squad that included standout performances from Dunn at stroke and Leonard in the bow. The win over Villanova, a consistent competitor in collegiate rowing, boosts St. Mary’s confidence as they approach tougher challenges ahead.
With the Knecht Cup on the horizon, the Seahawks will look to refine their technique and build on this weekend’s successes. The team’s next outing in New Jersey will test their ability to sustain this level of performance against a larger and more diverse field of opponents.