Crew Falls Just Short of Andover, Beats Out Tabor and NMH

Boys’ varsity crew took to the Merrimack River last Saturday, facing off against Andover, Tabor and NMH at Andover. While Exeter’s B1 looked for a repeat performance of its 2.2 second win against Andover earlier this year at St. John’s, Big Blue surged ahead for a victory by nearly two seconds. B2, however, managed successfully to avenge its St. John’s loss to Andover, taking first place over PA by 0.6 seconds.

“It was a tough race, but we learned a lot and are excited to race again at NEIRAs,” senior co-captain Sam Helms said.

This is just the second year Exeter and Tabor have competed at Andover’s new 1650-meter course, which is well‐buoyed and sports an open chute for the final 500. In contrast to the very windy day Big Red had in its first matchup with Andover, there was just a slight cross tail wind across the flat water of the Merrimack. Unfortunately for Exeter, Big Blue’s top boat managed to take advantage of its home course.

With the top time of 4:39.8, Andover reasserted itself as a serious contender for the upcoming NEIRAs. This comes a year after Phillips Academy finished seven seconds behind Exeter in its Merrimack race, and subsequently took last place at the championship. Exeter, at 4:41.6, finished perfectly in stroke with Tabor to tie for second, while NMH came in last three seconds after.

“It was a disappointing result, but we know what we have to do to improve and get faster,” senior rower Lakin Vitton said. Vitton cited maintaining mental composure as one aspect the team will focus on in the coming weeks before NEIRAs.

Despite a below average start, B2 powered back to prevent an overall loss for Exeter. “The course was not straight, and we were placed in the most difficult lane,” senior B2 rower Michael Eaton said. “While our start was a little shaky, [coxswain] Rex [Bone ‘16] did a great job of keeping us on course and in the hunt.”

With 500 meters left in the race, Big Red found itself down to Andover by a full length and to Tabor by several seats. But, Exeter’s rowers brought their best for the final stretch. “We stayed calm and collected, even when the gap between the boats seemed to be staying the same,” Eaton said. “This race helped to build our confidence as a boat, along with establishing us as the team to beat at NEIRAs on the 24th.”

Once again, Exeter and Andover found themselves tied for the David Swift Points Trophy, which is awarded to the team (including Tabor) that performs the best for the top four boats in each gender. Though both B3 and B4 came up short against Andover, the girls picked up the slack, with the top three boats sweeping.

 “This race was perfect preparation for NEIRAs in two weeks,” Eaton said. “Racing against Tabor and Andover, two of the league's top teams, meant that this race was as close as we could get to racing for the New England Championships.”

Big Red will travel to St. Paul’s this Saturday, looking to take home victories before NEIRAs, which will take place on May 24th.