The Bison headed down south this past weekend to the familiar waters of the Rivanna River for the Wahoo Henley hosted by the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Despite racing here every year in the spring, this was the team’s first time travelling to the Rivanna for the Wahoo Henley. The race is true to it’s name, offering a typical fall head race piece, which then seeds boats into a Henley style bracket of 1ks where if you win you move on, and if you lose you’re eliminated. In the first round, losers go to a consolation bracket, but after that point it’s do or die.
In addition to the crews from the host team of UVA, teams in attendance included Navy lights, Georgetown lights, UNC, and George Washington. The Rivanna filled with boats quickly as all 25 crews launched one after another, preparing for the time trial to come. Wind built quickly over the morning until a tail wind was blowing crews through the opening 1k of the race. The Bucknell varsity eight started just ahead of the fast moving Virginia varsity eight that is having a remarkable fall season. The Bison held off the Cavaliers until the bridge about 2/3 of the way through the course. Thanks to their home field advantage, UVA was able to take a fast line through the bridge and the turn, pushing the Bison to the outside of the turn, where they were ultimately passed. Having been pushed to the outside of the turn, the varsity eight lost valuable time on their other competitors of UNC and GW. The varsity eight was just narrowly beaten by UNC and GW by a respective 2 and 7 seconds. The second varsity eight was beaten by another fast moving Virginia crew, but beat all remaining ACRA 2Vs and 3Vs. The third varsity eight was the fastest ACRA 3V in the field, even beating the UVA 3V by almost 10 seconds. The fourth varsity eight was the fastest ACRA 4V in the event while beating some 3Vs and novice 8s. As the novice 8 came down the course, they were passed by a stacked GW Novice 8, but they were able to hold off and beat both novice crews from UVA who typically field some of the best novices, or “rookies” as they call them, in the country.
Following a lunch break provided by UVA, the crews returned to the water, this time for the Henley style 1ks. While there were too many races to recall all of them, some notable match ups included a Bucknell 2V win over the Georgetown 3V, a narrow loss for 1V against the GW 1V, a tight loss between the Bucknell 1N and the UVA 1N, a win for the 1N over the UVA 2N, and multiple wins for the 4V. Ultimately the 4V lost to the winner of the lower boats bracket in a race where they led until a late crab stopped their momentum.
In the hopes of getting all healthy rowers the full racing opportunity, a combo boat with UVA, Bucknell, and Georgetown rowers was fielded at the event. Additions to the crew from Bucknell included junior coxswain Josiah Kwok, sophomore Luke Catalanello, and freshman Zach Friedman. The boat fared well, even beating 3 crews in a row during the 1ks providing a competitive and unique racing experience to all.
1st Varsity 8+ – 2025 Hudson U8.32 Ultra Super Predator “Stealth”
Coxswain: Tyler Leong, So.
Stroke: Chris Kirby, Jr.
7: Sebastian Brandt, So.
6: Sen Zelov, Sr.
5: Ryan Genel Jr.
4: Kristian Komorowski, So.
3: John Kirincich, Jr.
2: Tanner Tighelaar, So.
Bow: Miles Clyde, So.
2nd Varsity 8+ – 2024 Hudson U8.43 Ultra Super Predator “Shark”
Coxswain: Regine Escher, So.
Stroke: Peter Schmidt, Fr.
7: Luca Arvanitis, Sr.
6: Ryan Spallone, Sr.
5: Conor McNichols, Sr.
4: Soren Stein, So.
3: Robert Canestrari, So.
2: Jack Greenleaf, So.
Bow: Jonas Sanchez, So.
3rd Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Jack Lieblein, Jr.
Stroke: Wes Peot, So.
7: Cornelius Nichilo, So.
6: Will Curtis, Fr.
5: Jacob Mohr, So.
4: Ryan Firestone, Jr.
3: Tommy Smith, So.
2: Cris Santanna, Fr.
Bow: Will Blumenthal, Jr.
4th Varsity 8+ – 2022 Hudson S8.32 Super Predator
Coxswain: Sean Doherty, Fr.
Stroke: Tim Robertson, Jr.
7: Tiarnan Nowak, So.
6: Joe Hofmann, So.
5: Charlie Theodore, Fr.
4: Connor Orkin, So.
3: Ben Cowan, Fr.
2: Travis Stanitis, Jr.
Bow: Griffin Walsh, Jr.
Novice 8+ – Class of 2020
Coxswain: Allison Sproles, Fr.
Stroke: Helton Young, Fr.
7: Jackson Lilley, Fr.
6: Sam Langlois, Fr.
5: Hunter Cassidy, Fr.
4: Neil Davidek, Fr.
3: Daniel Belden, Fr.
2: Aidan Cassidy, Fr.
1: Zac Snyder, Fr.