FOSTER CITY, Calif. – The Stanford lightweight rowing team captured two gold medals at the Head of the Lagoon in Foster City, Calif. on Sunday to conclude its fall season.
The first gold medal came in the Women’s Open 4+ as Jackie Huddle, Christine Cavallo, Emma Collins, Brittany Presten and coxswain Allison Nguyen recorded the fastest time in the field of 14 boats. The Cardinal group crossed the finish line in 20:35, just faster than Saint Marys’ time of 20:57. It was the first time Nguyen had ever been a coxswain in a head race but she was able to navigate the boat well through the bridges and turns in the course.
“Overall it was a great race,” said Nguyen. “It was a learning experience for me being my first head race but the girls on the team are so strong and provide so much power to the boat so it went great.”
Stanford also placed fourth and 13th with its other two boats in the Women’s Open 4+ event.
The lightweights also took gold in the Women’s Open 8+, easily defeating Chico State and Humboldt State with a time of 19:32. The time was two minutes faster than second place Chico State.
“The eight went really well,” said Presten. “We switched up the rigging a little bit and tried something different with a whole new lineup. It was fun. The aggression is there which was exciting to see. Especially during the fall season when it is longer racing.”
Nguyen, Huddle, Presten, Cavallo and Collins all earned their second gold medal of the day in the 8+ and were joined by teammates Martine Johannessen, Molly Hayes, Sarah Hirshorn and Katherine Christel in the boat.
The Cardinal wrapped up its day with a second and third place finish in the Women’s Open 2x. Anja Young and Paige Watson earned silver with a time of 24:39 while Brianna Goldstein and Katie Torigoe took bronze with a time of 24:53.
The Head of the Lagoon concluded the fall season for the Stanford lightweight rowing team.
“The next big thing will be winter training,” said Presten. “It will be exciting as we have six juniors who are coming back from being abroad. We will have a bigger team and will see the dynamic and intensity ramp up.”
The spring season will begin March 29 with duals against Saint Mary’s and Wisconsin in Redwood Shores, Calif.
Lineups
Women’s Open 4+
Stanford A Boat
Coxswain: Allison Nguyen
Jackie Huddle
Christine Cavallo
Emma Collins
Brittany Presten
Stanford B Boat
Coxswain: Amanda Quay
Katherine Christel
Martine Johannessen
Sarah Hirshorn
Molly Hayes
Stanford C Boat
Coxswain: Molly Horwitz
Brianna Goldstein
Katie Torigoe
Anja Young
Paige Watson
Women’s Open 8+
Stanford A Boat
Coxswain: Allison Nguyen
Jackie Huddle
Brittany Presten
Christine Cavallo
Martine Johannessen
Molly Hayes
Sarah Hirshorn
Emma Collins
Katherine Christel
Women’s Open 2x
Stanford A Boat
Anja Young
Paige Watson
Stanford B Boat
Brianna Goldstein
Katie Torigoe