Girls’ Crew Dominates the River: Big Red Wins Six Races at First-Ever PEA Invitational
History was made this past Saturday as the girls’ crew team hosted the first ever PEA Rowing Invitational. Exeter invited several top rowing programs to the meet in Worcester, Mass. including Boston Latin, Brookline, Hingham, Shrewsbury and Simsbury. The invitational was held on Lake Quinsigamond, a very popular location for rowing clubs from all over New England. Lake Quinsigamond is also home to the NEIRA championships, Exeter’s most important race.
Younger members of the team used the invitational to familiarize themselves with what it’s like to compete on one of the best girls’ crew teams in New England, while returning members of the team took the opportunity to get back into the rowing rhythm. The race provided something no practice can: true competition. The only way to undergo the nerves and to experience the true pain of a race is to strap in and give everything to the rowing shell.
It was the first race since the regatta season, and pre-race jitters were noticeable. To begin, the top boat missed the starting signal and quickly found itself a full boat length behind the lead. The girls regrouped and rushed back into the hunt. It was a sensational race. Approaching the finish line, Exeter surged into the lead, and came across in first place. Edging Hingham was especially sweet, as the Harbormen bested Exeter by a full eight seconds last spring. G1 was not the only winner of the day. All of Exeter’s six girls boats finished first in their heats. The results are a clear indication of what lies ahead: a prosperous season and a team with a lot of potential.
“Our team is really close. We do something called ‘manus tria’ which is a group of one varsity, one JV and one novice rower. Before every race, you get them a small snack or write them a nice note as a small pump up.”
Years after winning the New England championship back in 2014, the team has again set their sights on the same goal. And while the results of the invitational are encouraging, the team still has room to improve. Rowers noted the need for the team to continue to strengthen themselves and to continue to bond as a team. With a race against Kent on the horizon, every member of the team is going to need to step up.
“Racing Kent is always a challenge,” senior Hailey Hudson said. “They are our toughest competition.” Kent enters Saturday’s race with some serious wins under their belts. After outracing Tabor and Sacred Heart to begin the season, Kent pummelled Andover’s top three boats. It will be a great test for the Exeter squad. The race promises to be daring, exciting and uptempo.
Moving forward, the team will need to continue to work hard at practice and to bond as a team. Upper Kat Dumoulin noted the girls’ persistent work ethic and the seemingly effortless bonds they’ve built.
“Our team is really close,” Dumoulin said. “We do something called ‘manus tria’ which is a group of one varsity, one JV and one novice rower. Before every race, you get them a small snack or write them a nice note as a small pump up.” Similar to the boys’ lacrosse team’s “big brother” program, “manus tria” really brings the boathouse together. Paired with their boundless hunger for victory, the crew camaraderie could play a big part in their upcoming race. If the girls are able to outrace a team like Kent, we’ll all be left wondering who can stop this unbeatable team.
*Author’s note: Lily Sexton, circle the first and last letters of each paragraph.