Fall 2023 Head of the Charles Preview

Hello Marist Alumni, Family and Friends,

                I wanted to write a quick update as we head into the Charles Weekend. It’s been a busy two weeks since our first race in Worcester MA and a lot has happened since then.

                Following our race at the Snek and the closest possible margin I have yet seen between two Marist Crews in a head race, It was clear that we had some more work to do to figure out who belonged in our V8 and in what fashion. Props to the 2V for scoring big!

                The following week started off with a bang with some immediate seat racing and working to determine who might strengthen our V8 as we led into the Head of the Charles. I am proud to announce our HOCR Varsity Eight for 2023:

Coxswain:            Kayla Lewis (Sr)

Stroke:                  Gavin Crouch (Sr)

Seven:                  Holden Kopscik (Soph)

Six:                         Mason Roy (Frosh)

Five:                       Nolan Libby (Soph)

Four:                     Liam Klemm (Jr)

Three:                   Andrew Davis (Soph)

Two:                      Thomas Graves (Jr)

Bow:                      Drew Ngo (Soph)

Additional props are due to Sr Axel Anderegg-Durwood, Soph Peter Martinich and Frosh Tristan Wistuba and James Hadjandreas who all made our seat racing extremely close and competitive. We’ve had increasingly strong practices from the V8 so far over the past week and I am really excited to see what we can do against steep competition at the Charles. Last year’s crew, while very talented individually, seemed to struggle to match their styles and really swing together in the boat. This group has seemed to be able to find that elusive feeling and there is a visible sense of sustainable power when watching them that we just weren’t able to find last spring. After placing 20th last year, our goal will be to break back into the top 15 this year with a top 10 and as a reach.

Meanwhile I am delighted to have our largest group yet racing under the Queen City Barge Club banner at HOCR. We have 3 different generations of oarsmen with a Veteran (70+), Senior Masters (50+) and Alumni (young alumni) eights all rowing on Saturday as well as a 4th alumni crew from our Women’s team.

Race Times:

SATURDAY 21st

Men’s Senior Masters Eight:                        9:11am (Special Thanks to Current Coxswain Matthew Wright for coxing these men!)

Men’s Grand Master/ Veteran Eight:       9:22

Men’s Alumni Eight:                                       10:59am

Women’s Alumnae Eight:                              11:19am

Women’s Club Four:                                       1:04pm

Women’s Club Four:                                       1:43pm

SUNDAY 22nd

Men’s Collegiate Eight                                    2:16pm

Where will we be?

The team will usually congregate around our trailer area while staging for racing in the FALS area (typically in Lot 4) more details to emerge about exact location after we arrive and get parked. Viewing is best along the FALS area and around the Elliot Bridge. Post Racing, alumni will usually gather in the FALS Beer Garden area to socialize.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend. I just wanted to thank everyone who has helped with organizing the regatta for our crews and also congratulate all our alumni crews, especially our 70+ boat, it’s been really cool to see you guys determined to get another rip in Bean Town!