Coming off a weekend of racing at the Occoquan Chase, the Bucknell men had a few practices in front of them to address weaknesses and find ways to gain speed before the 56th Head of the Charles. By all accounts they were successful in doing so by making up 30 seconds of ground on UVA from week to week. Their 20th place finish put them in respectable company, just three seconds behind St. Joseph’s and ahead of relevant ACRA opponents, Notre Dame & Boston College.
Notoriously known as one of most difficult courses to steer, the Charles was no challenge for senior coxswain Max Silverman, a Boston native who navigated the river on a daily basis while in high school. Using experience to his advantage, Silverman put his rowers in the best possible position to throw down a fast time. But as could be predicted, the Charles was not, in fact, smooth sailing. Past the halfway point, the boat powered itself within the top 15. As it approached the Anderson Bridge, two crews ahead clashed oars and blocked entry through the arch, causing Bucknell to pause several times. Precious time elapsed while the crew awaited an opening to squeak by. Once Silverman saw a hole, the boat took off determined to make up time. From the final checkpoint to the finish line, Bucknell rowed the ninth fastest split, solidifying itself inside the top half of the field.
Post-race reflection reaffirmed the feasibility of an ambitious goal laid out by the coaches to begin the year: capturing a medal in the varsity eight at the 2022 ACRA National Championship. Winter training, of course, will determine the fate of the crew, but in the meantime it can take solace knowing it’s on the right track.
A sincere thank you goes out to those who assisted in Boston last weekend, particularly the Onffroy and Viola families for hosting the athletes.
COLLEGIATE 8+
17th – St. Joseph’s – 15:47.7
18th – WPI – 15:48.8
19th – Ithaca – 15:49.8
20th – Bucknell – 15:50.8
21st – Notre Dame – 15:54.9
22nd – Wesleyan – 15:57.2
23rd – Boston College – 15:57.3
Lineup:
Varsity 8 – 2018 Resolute Midweight XT
Coxswain: Max Silverman, Sr.
Stroke: Andrew Viola, So.
7: Phil Onffroy, Sr.
6: Zach Gerhardt, So.
5: Nathan Peot, So.
4: Jack Fiala, Jr.
3: Conor McNichols, Fr.
2: Thomas Stone, Jr.
Bow: Luca Arvanitis, Fr.