Lowell, MA (October 5, 2015)- The Women’s rowing team opened their 2015 fall season in grand fashion at the Textile River Regatta in Lowell, MA as the Women’s Freshman Four began the morning with a dominating performance over the field, finishing the 6000 meter course with a time of 26:41.9. The four, comprised of senior coxswain Mary Quinn (Erie, Pa., and freshmen Kyra Fairley (Kingston, N.Y.), Mackenzie Hitch (Oregon, Ohio), Julia Canova (Avon, Conn.) and Onyeris Lopez-Maldonado (Hyde Park, Mass.), brought home the program’s first ever gold medal from Textiles.

The freshman wasted no time as they passed two boats within the first 1500 meters of the race and then cruised home through a strong headwind to victory. The Ravens closest challenge was perennial powerhouse, Bowdoin College, who claimed silver with a time of 28.36.2.  Bryant University (30:59.2) took bronze, with UMass Lowell taking fourth (31:58.2) and Roger Williams (40:11.3) and Brandeis University (40:20.4) rounding out the field.

“They had a very strong row in spite of having only one day of practice together and facing some very difficult weather conditions,” said David DeIuliis, Women’s Rowing Coach. “They were smooth and strong throughout the race, kept their rate in check and were really swinging together. I couldn’t have imagined a better way for us to open our season.”

Later in the morning, the Women’s Varsity Four, rowing in the Club event, managed a 21st place finish out of 23. The four led by sophomore coxswain Grace Walker (Greenfield, Mass.),  senior Bailee Desforges (Bridport, Vt.), senior Amanda Beasley (Newmarket, N.H.), senior Kasie Tucker (Bow, N.H.) and sophomore Danielle Clarke (Fairfield, Conn.) had a rough row throughout most of the race but did manage to finish ahead of rival Assumption College and the Gentle Giant Rowing Club.

The women’s varsity 8+ was unable to compete as the afternoon races were cancelled due to worsening weather conditions that caused several accidents on the course. The team travels to the Quinsigamond Snake Regatta in Worcester, MA next Saturday.