Head of the Fish Returns, Skidmore Has Strong Showing

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The annual Head of the Fish Regatta returned to Fish Creek in Saratoga Springs last weekend, attracting more than 160 teams and 1,600 crews from across the Northeast. Both men’s and women’s rowing teams from Skidmore College competed, finishing with some impressive performances.

Skidmore sophomore Sam Boogeart and junior Grant Steinberger captured the team’s first win of the day, placing first in the collegiate double with a time of 12:03, ahead of the University of Rochester and Gordon College.

Afternoon racing featured the women’s varsity 8+, which achieved Skidmore’s highest placement in recent history with a fifth-place finish overall and second among Division III teams. Coxswain Hayden Harlow led the crew, with senior captains Maddie Aho and McKenna Otey setting the pace in the stern pair. Joining them were sophomore Delaney Miller, senior Molly Sullivan, junior Camilla Johnson, and first-year Ava Holthoff in the engine room, with sophomore Britta Arvold and first-year Ella Plosky in the bow. The women’s second varsity 8+ then took to the course, finishing in 13:14, earning third among DIII teams. Coxswain Brie Chricco led the boat, with senior Al Yi in the stroke seat and a strong mix of first-year and upper-class rowers.

“This weekend really showed how hard our team worked this fall,” Delaney Miller said in a statement. “Both the men’s and women’s teams have come such a long way, and crossing under the bridge with the whole boat smiling back was such a great feeling. We’ve really proven ourselves this fall, and I’m so excited to see what more we can accomplish in the spring.”

The men’s varsity 4+ continued Skidmore’s success with a win, completing the course in 11:49. The boat included coxswain Emma Laquinta, Thomas du Four, Grant Steinberger, Sam Boogeart, and Ryan Capozucca. Two additional entries in the same event, Skidmore C and Skidmore B, finished with times of 12:35 and 13:50, respectively.

In the women’s varsity 4+ event, Skidmore’s A entry placed third among Division III entries and ninth overall with a time of 13:43. The crew included coxswain Hayden Harlow, stroke Camilla Johnson, and rowers Molly Sullivan, Britta Arvold, and Norah Jankey.

The day concluded with the men’s 1V and 2V events, both boats achieving third-place finishes overall. The men’s 1V crew completed the course in 10:49, just five seconds behind Liberty League champions Ithaca College. The men’s 2V finished in 11:31, outperforming entries from Ithaca College C, the University of Rhode Island, Hamilton College, and UMass.

“The leadership team took a critical look at areas for improvement coming into this season, and the athletes responded fantastically,” said Coach Manny Valentin. “They embraced new ideas and methods and worked to make the boathouse an enjoyable place to train. As a result, we consistently had strong practices, pushed to new levels, and are entering the winter season with significant momentum. I am especially happy for our seniors, who close the fall with some of Skidmore’s best finishes in recent years.”