Boys’ Crew Sweeps Hanover High School at Home

Boys’ crew swept Hanover High School last weekend at a home regatta. The first varsity boat won by 4.2 seconds and the second varsity boat won by 17 seconds.

Although the first boat won their race, they were significantly impeded by salt hay which got stuck in their shell’s rudder. Captain and senior Jake Della Pasqua noted the effect of the hay on the team’s performance. “The race was tough. We got reeds stuck on our skeg within the first 20 strokes, and that really slowed us down for the entire race. It made the boat feel a lot heavier than it normally does,” he said.

Despite some setbacks at the start, the first boat boys pushed on to victory. Lower Francis Baviera Maloney detailed the events of the race. “Exeter started four seats down because of the staggered start, however, we had the inside turn. Although the start wasn’t one of our best, we still managed to pull ahead a total of a length and a half,” he said.

“I think PEA meets a weaker crew like Hanover at home on a reunion weekend to make ourselves look good. This meet felt exploitative to be honest.”

Baviera Maloney noted that Hanover’s first boat kept up with Exeter and proved themselves to be fierce competitors. “Hanover fought hard and managed to stay with us for the remaining of the race. But we responded to their moves and finished five seconds ahead,” he said.

The second boat demolished the competition from the very beginning, walking right past Hanover during the starting sequences and finishing roughly four boat lengths of open water ahead. Through the middle 500 meters and onto the last 500, Exeter continued to walk ahead of Hanover. Big Red ended up winning by so much that according to Prep Will Kalikman, the second boat was unable “to see Hanover from the finish line.”

The conditions on the river were not very conducive to racing. “We had a difficult course to steer, and there were a lot of reeds. Also the race course is pretty far away from the boathouse, so that’s a bit obnoxious,” explained Della Pasqua.

Nevertheless, both boats enjoyed racing at home rather than travelling, as is typical of the Exeter crew team due to the river’s proximity. “It was very nice having the regatta at home as we didn’t have to travel and de-rig the boats. We also love having the parents come out (as they always do) to cheer and bring food,” said Baviera Maloney.

Della Pasqua expressed a similar sentiment, also noting the satisfaction of winning on home turf in front of alumni. It was particularly rewarding to have the alumni watch, as members of the only Exeter boys’ crew to win nationals were there. “We had some extra motivation because the stern pair and co-captains of the 1996 Exeter crew team were there,” he said.

However, upper August Aalto felt that Exeter had taken advantage of Hanover to impress the alumni. “I think PEA meets a weaker crew like Hanover at home on a reunion weekend to make ourselves look good. This meet felt exploitative to be honest,” he said. Boy’s boats 1-6 will be racing Andover, Northfield Mount Hermon and Tabor next weekend at Andover.