CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Stanford, the five-time defending Intercollegiate Rowing Association women's lightweight champion, opened its season Sunday at the Head of the Charles Regatta on the Charles River.
Stanford had two boats in competition, placing fourth in the Women's Lightweight Fours and fifth in the Women's Lightweight Eights. The Cardinal had won the past two Lightweight Eights titles at this competition.
In the fours, Stanford competed with a lineup of coxswain Kira Jan, Hillary Umphrey, Maddie Lloyd, Lauren Howe, and Claire Smythe. Because of the staggered starts, Stanford led on the water at the Riverside mark, but were fourth overall and maintained that position the rest of the way. Stanford trailed winner British Columbia by 26 seconds at the finish.
Two Stanford freshmen made their collegiate debuts, Maddie Lloyd and Lauren Howe.
In the eights, Stanford had a lineup of coxswain Jennifer Vu, Emily Molins, Noa Bregman, Micah Trautwein, Isabella Duan, Kelly Niethammer, Lindsey Rust, Brigitte Schmittlein, and Martha Yates. Stanford was fifth at the first mark and maintained its position, finishing in 16:29.047.
The Stanford eights boat included three Cardinal freshmen making their collegiate debuts: Bregman, Niethammer, and Rust.
Stanford next competes on Saturday at the Head of the American in Folsom, and then will not race again until the spring.
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Head of the Charles
On the Charles River (3 miles)
Winners and Stanford results
Women's Lightweight Eights: 1, Princeton 16:07.248; 5, Stanford (c: Vu, Molins, Bregman, Trautwein, Duan, Niethammer, Rust, Schmittein, Yates) 16:29.047.
Women's Lightweight Fours: 1, British Columbia 17:57.921; 4, Stanford (c: Jan, Umphrey, Lloyd, Howe, Smythe) 18:24.204.
Stanford placed fifth in the Women's Lightweight Eights. Photo by Aaron Shepley.