ST. MARY’S CITY, Md., May 7, 2025 — St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s men’s and women’s rowing teams secured six spots on the All-Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) teams, announced on May 7. The women’s team, fresh off their second consecutive MARC championship title, claimed five honors, while the men’s team earned one.
Senior Tomas Meisner, from Baltimore, represented the men’s team with a Second Team selection. The 6-foot-4 four-seat rower contributed to the Seahawks’ second varsity 8+ boat, which placed fifth at the 2025 MARC Championships, helping the men’s team finish seventh in the team standings. This marks Meisner’s first career postseason award.
The women’s team dominated the awards, with seniors Elise Kinyanjui, Erin Rhodes, and Haley Roche earning First Team honors, senior Tiffany Dioko securing Second Team, and junior Alex Cumber named to the Novice Team. Kinyanjui, Rhodes, Roche, Dioko (coxswain), and Cumber were instrumental in the women’s team capturing the MARC championship title, winning both the 1V8+ and 2V8+ races for a total of 37 points, outpacing Bryn Mawr College by five points.
At the championships, the women’s 1V8+ boat, featuring Dioko, Rhodes (eight-seat), Roche (six-seat), Kinyanjui (five-seat), and Cumber (four-seat), won their heat in 7:31.51, beating The Catholic University of America by 2.03 seconds. In the final, they clocked 7:17.95, finishing 8.28 seconds ahead of Bryn Mawr. The team’s 2V8+ boat also claimed victory, solidifying their championship win.
Kinyanjui, from Silver Spring, earned her third All-MARC award, following Novice Team honors in 2022 and Second Team in 2023. Rhodes, also from Silver Spring, secured her second consecutive First Team selection. Roche, from Narragansett, Rhode Island, Dioko, from Annapolis, and Cumber, from Frederick, each received their first career All-MARC honors.
The women’s team success at the MARC Championships highlights their depth and consistency. The 1V8+ and 2V8+ victories underscored their dominance, building on their 2024 championship win. The team’s performance in the heats and finals demonstrated precision and teamwork, with Dioko’s coxswaining and the rowers’ synchronized efforts proving decisive.
Meisner’s contribution to the men’s team, though less decorated, was notable. His role in the second varsity 8+ boat helped the Seahawks remain competitive in a challenging field. The men’s seventh-place finish reflects steady effort, with Meisner’s Second Team nod recognizing his individual impact.
The All-MARC selections are determined by conference coaches based on athletes’ performances throughout the season and at the championships. The awards reflect not only individual skill but also contributions to team success. For St. Mary’s, the six honorees represent a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent.
St. Mary’s College, located in Southern Maryland, has built a strong rowing program, with the women’s team establishing itself as a regional powerhouse. The men’s team, while still developing, continues to produce competitive athletes like Meisner. The 2025 MARC Championships, held on the Patapsco River, showcased the Seahawks’ ability to compete against top programs like Bryn Mawr and Catholic University.
The rowing teams’ achievements add to St. Mary’s College’s athletic legacy, with the women’s team setting a high standard for future seasons. The six All-MARC honorees will be celebrated at the college’s annual athletics awards ceremony later this year.
