Girls Finish Strong

Girls' crew lived up to its history of greatness this year after an almost undefeated season last year. Last season, the girls suffered only one loss, and the first boat earned first place at NEIRAs. This year, girls' crew chalked up another undefeated season and finished with two first, first and second places for the first, second and third boats, respectively, at NEIRAs.

NEIRAs, or the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championships, is the most important regatta for Exeter crew, so the girls could not be more pleased with their impressive results. For the seniors, it was the best way to leave their second family of four years, their team.

"For me, my four years on Exeter Girl's Crew culminated with our race in the Grand Final at NEIRAs this year," senior co-captain Jenny DiPietro said. "It was a perfect way to end my days in the Exeter uni, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to cross the finish line with. I am so proud that we came together, both mentally and physically, to pull off the race that we had hoped for."

For underclassmen, it was just as exciting to cross the finish line first and see themselves making space between their competitors at the end of the race.

"NEIRAs was an amazing experience yesterday. With both G1 and G2 bringing home the gold, G3 bringing home the silver, and the girls winning the points trophy, it’s safe to say that all were impressed with Exeter's performance," lower Lily Sexton said.

Upper Zoë Sudduth agreed. "Winning NEIRAs is always the icing on the cake. The moment when we crossed the finish line was such a high," she said.

Although the results at NEIRAs may make girls’ crew seem invincible, Big Red had some trouble getting there. At NEIRAs, there are three preliminary heats, and the top two boats from each heat make it to the final race. G2's first race was not as perfect as they had hoped, but they were able to come back from that and win the gold in the finals.

"We came off the water angry that we hadn't rowed to the best of our abilities, and when we went back out there in the afternoon for the finals, all we could think about was winning," Sexton said. "Kent was our toughest competitor; they had beaten us earlier in the season, and when we took those first couple strokes of our race, we got ahead and continued to lengthen the distance between us and them. It's an understatement to say our victory felt amazing."

The girls' crew team had come a long way throughout the season to end up at their amazing victories at NEIRAs. At the beginning of the season, they weren't able to row on the water because the river was still frozen from the harsh winter. Some of Exeter Crew's toughest competitors were able to start rowing on their rivers weeks before our girls were, but even in their first races, Big Red still dominated because of their tough strength training and erging.

"This season was unique because we were not able to get on the water as early as usual; however, the team came together incredibly quickly to make the most of the time we did have before the racing began," DiPietro said. "After learning from our first few races, we figured out a solid race plan and how to be effective throughout the entirety of each race. All of our technique training on the water and the strength building that we had done in March combined to make us a very powerful and mentally tough crew for New England's."

Not able to go on the water until the second week of April, the girls struggled through their first races, although training and hard work put them ahead.

"Our first race was rough, we muscled through but still had a lot of technical issues to work on," Sudduth said. "However, our second race really came together and we continued to improve as a boat each week."

Even with this shaky beginning, this season turned out to be one of the best for girls' crew. "This year we had a crew that worked well at high ratings and that wasn't afraid to sprint for 500 meters or more, if necessary. Both of those factors really helped us win in the Grand Final against crews that were just as physically strong as we were," DiPietro said.

Not only were the outcomes for girls' crew a success this year, the team dynamic was like none other.

"This year, varsity was a very close-knit group of girls which was amazing because there was mutual respect between all rowers. This translated to success on the water due to our closeness and genuine care for each other," DiPietro said.

"All in all, this crew season was a successful one. Whether or not our boats won or lost, the girls on our team really came together as a whole,” Sexton said. “I've made some of my closest friends from this team, and for that reason, I'm thankful for the girls Exeter crew program.”

All of the girls attribute their successes to each other and to their coaches. 

"Our crew program would not be at the high level its at without our wonderful coaches. From Mrs. Morris to Mrs. Moore to Ms. Hobbie, I speak on behalf of all the girls of Exeter crew when I say it's thanks to them that we have been so successful. We have nothing but the utmost respect for all of them," Sexton said.

"Our coaches are phenomenal," DiPietro said. "Coach Morris is so wise in the sport of rowing, she can truly look at a boat for ten seconds and pinpoint each problem spot and exactly how to fix it, or what drill could help effectively teach the rower better form. She pushes us to our mental and physical limits, but is incredibly understanding and always looks out for the good of the team instead of the individual, which is one of the central values of crew. I have grown incredibly close with her after three years of rowing on her boats, and I have the utmost respect for her and her coaching."

Next year, the team will lose a lot of valuable seniors, but the underclassmen have proven themselves to be just as promising. 

"Although we are graduating ten seniors off of our first and second boats, I think we have a really strong base of underclassmen, as shown by the results of 2nd and 3rd boats at NEIRAs,” Sudduth said. “Next year we’ll definitely be fast, and I'm really looking forward it.”