Lehigh Rowing Shines at the 2025 Knecht Cup Regatta
COOPER RIVER, N.J. – The anticipation was palpable as Lehigh University’s rowing teams embarked on their first regatta of the 2025 spring season. This year, the Mountain Hawks took to the waters of the Cooper River, competing earnestly in the Knecht Cup against a formidable field of 40 schools. The weekend was marked by thrilling performances, with standout moments including a second-place finish in the men’s first varsity four+ race on Sunday.
Promising Performances
"I’m truly proud of how this team is digging in and continuously chasing speed throughout the spring racing," beamed Hannah Vogel, a sophomore from the team. "We gained a great deal of confidence this weekend in our battles against tough opponents. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend doing my favorite thing with my favorite people." Such enthusiasm from the athletes only underscores the competitive spirit that defines Lehigh Rowing.
Event Highlights
The starting gun sounded bright and early on Saturday morning as the women’s first varsity four+ kicked off their competition, securing a commendable third place with a time of 9:05.74. Following closely, the men’s first varsity four+ turned in an impressive performance, finishing second with a time of 8:01.70 in their heat. Likewise, the women’s second varsity four+ also finished strong, placing third with a time of 9:17.28.
Key Race Times:
- Women’s First Varsity Four+: 9:05.74 (3rd place)
- Men’s First Varsity Four+: 8:01.70 (2nd place)
- Women’s Second Varsity Four+: 9:17.28 (3rd place)
As the heats progressed, the women’s first varsity eight+ crossed the finish line fifth at 7:35.87, while the men’s first varsity eight+ showcased their competitive edge by finishing third in their heat with a time of 6:27.89. The women’s second varsity eight+ and men’s second varsity eight+ followed suit, both claiming fourth place in their respective heats with times of 7:47.09 and 6:40.25.
Attention-Grabbing Semi-Finals
As the day unfolded, the stakes rose considerably. The women’s first varsity four+ and first varsity eight+ faced similarly fierce competition in the semifinals. Unfortunately, they both finished sixth in their races, clocking in at 8:51.64 and 7:40.62, respectively. However, the determination exhibited by the teams promises a bright future as they move through the season.
Strong Sunday Showings
Sunday commenced with grit and determination, as the women’s second varsity four+ competed in the petite final, wrapping up a solid second-place finish with a time of 8:40.80. The weekend’s most notable achievement came when Lehigh’s men’s first varsity four+ clinched second place in the finals, finishing with a remarkable time of 7:02.62.
Further demonstrating their capabilities, the men’s second varsity four+ finished third at 7:36.15, while the women’s first varsity eight+ made a bold push in the petite final, finishing fifth with a time of 7:09.33. The final race for Lehigh’s Mountain Hawks saw the men’s first varsity eight conceptualize another solid performance, ultimately finishing sixth at 6:11.55.
Final Thoughts from the Team:
"Our race was a huge display of patience and perseverance—two things we’ve been focusing on diligently," shared Olivia Shafer, another standout sophomore. "Even though we faced some mishaps, we concluded the race powerfully. Although we didn’t make it to the semis, we’re still immensely proud of our endurance and competitive spirit."
Next Up for the Mountain Hawks
The Mountain Hawks don’t dwell on their performance for long, as they prepare to return to the competitive waters next weekend at the Kerr Cup in Philadelphia on April 19.
Stay connected with Lehigh Rowing for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes insights: like them on Facebook, follow them on X (formerly Twitter), and check out their journey on Instagram.
Rowing Line-ups:
Women’s First Varsity Eight:
- C: Julia McDougall
- 8: Rachel Janosky
- 7: Ryann McDonald
- 6: Mina Petrovic
- 5: Jenna O’Dell
- 4: Hannah Vogel
- 3: Adelaide Weir
- 2: Sophia Foster
- 1: Catherine Hilow
Women’s Second Varsity Eight:
- C: Lee Ferguson
- 8: Anna Brock
- 7: Gabriella Pontoriero
- 6: Madison Goldstein
- 5: Lydia Sheeser
- 4: Elizabeth Janes
- 3: Olivia Shafer
- 2: Michela Biondi
- 1: Victoria Bazarko
Men’s First Varsity Eight:
- C: Schuyler Joerger
- 8: Drew Hetzer
- 7: Zachary Wexler
- 6: Colby Brogan
- 5: William Snider
- 4: Alex Blaszkiewicz
- 3: Evan McDonnell
- 2: Baxter Reihman
- 1: Joseph Carruth
As the Lehigh Mountain Hawks set forth on their season’s journey, one thing is certain: the spirit of competition is alive and thriving in Lehigh Rowing!
