Bucknell crossed an important checkpoint last weekend by competing at the Head of the Charles. Only the varsity eight made the trip up to Boston while the remainder of the team trained at home. Last year the crew placed 21st in Collegiate 8+ event, an otherwise decent performance if not marred by a collision with the final bridge. This year the boat crossed its fingers for a clean race knowing that the personnel was more skilled and fit.
With coxswain Izzy Mersky ’24 and stroke seat Andrew Viola ’24 returning to the very river where they trained each day in high school, the crew had faith in their leaders to set an aggressive charge down the course. Pushing against a stiff headwind for much of the race, Viola got the support he needed from his teammates to make the load feel light. The crew finished the piece unscathed, placing 16th overall among 42 boats. While the boat was thrilled to have defeated some varsity programs, it was most proud to have placed third between all club teams in attendance – only behind Notre Dame and Virginia, but ahead of Michigan, Delaware and Orange Coast. The last time Bucknell finished this high at the Charles, it won a silver medal at the ACRA National Championship the following May.
The team will close out the fall by hosting Lehigh for a friendly scrimmage at home November 11th.
Collegiate 8+ (42 entries)
13. St. Joe’s – 15:56.8
14. Virginia – 15:57.5
15. Temple – 16:03.2
16. Bucknell – 16:06.4
17. San Diego – 16:06.6
1st Varsity 8+ – 2023 Hudson U8.43 Ultra Super Predator
Coxswain: Izzy Mersky, Sr.
Stroke: Andrew Viola, Sr.
7: Chris Kirby, So.
6: Sen Zelov, Jr.
5: Ryan Genel, So.
4: Zach Gerhardt, Sr.
3: Solomon Bell, Fr.
2: Miles Clyde, Fr.
Bow: Jonas Sanchez, Fr.