Kaitlyn Kupiec
Girls Crew produced its strongest showing to date at the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association (NEIRA) Championships in May at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. The girls’ second boat earned a bronze medal, while the girls’ first boat delivered a historic finish.
The G2 boat of (left to right) Charlee Cate Cardot ’27, Ada Hotaling ’29, Mae Lawrence ’27, Anabel Vilas ’28, and Blythe Beran ’28 secured its second consecutive bronze medal at NEIRA, finishing just one second off second place.
The second boat of Charlee Cate Cardot ’27, Ada Hotaling ’29, Mae Lawrence ’27, Anabel Vilas ’28, and Blythe Beran ’28 surged in the final 250 meters to finish just one second off second place, earning its second consecutive bronze medal. Both Hotaling and Beran had only begun rowing two months earlier.
The first boat of Reeves Thompson ’28, Lila Barkan ’27, who is committed to row at the University of North Carolina, Lena Smith ’26, Camilla Parks ’26, and Jessica Sonner ’27 finished second in the Petite Final—matching the highest finish by a Berkshire girls first boat at NEIRA, last achieved in 2001—and placed eighth overall in New England. It was the first time since 2006 that the boat reached the Petite Final.
Smith, who will row for William Smith College this fall, watched her teammates grow more confident as the season progressed. “I am most proud of the team culture that my fellow captains and coaches built—it felt supportive, positive, and welcoming.”
Girls Head Coach Sam Ortega said the results reflected the program’s growth. “In the past, we’ve just been happy to qualify for NEIRA, but this weekend shows we’re in a much more competitive place now,” Ortega said.
Boys Crew also turned in strong performances, with the first boat reaching the Grand Final and the second boat winning the Petite Final.
The B1 boat of Cyrus Taber ’28, Thomas Berg ’27, Ramsay Madan ’27, Ford Taube ’27, and Daxton Mutter ’28 advanced to the Grand Final and finished sixth in New England after entering the regatta as the ninth seed.
The first boat of Cyrus Taber ’28, Thomas Berg ’27, Ramsay Madan ’27, Ford Taube ’27, and Daxton Mutter ’28 advanced to the Grand Final and finished sixth in New England after defeating fourth-seeded Hotchkiss in its heat.
“It was remarkable to see that, in spite of these other teams' depth and experience, our best can go toe-to-toe with everyone else's best—we're just as mighty, disciplined, and hungry,” Boys Head Coach John Palmer said.
The second boat of Julien Turone ’27, Luke Gavigan ’26, Aidan Milone ’27, Ptolemy Williams ’27, and Rohan Rost ’27 overcame equipment issues on the way to winning the Petite Final, placing seventh overall.
Director of Rowing Paul MacKenzie said, “It was great to see such strong performances from both sides of the program. John Palmer and Sam Ortega have done an outstanding job raising the competitive level, and I look forward to continued growth next season.”