WORCESTER, Mass -- Maritime Crew traveled to Lake Quinsigamond for the second time this month for their final competition of the Fall season, this time launching from the venerable Regatta Point Park.  This was the inaugural edition of what organizers say will become a regular event on the head racing calendar and the team is already looking forward to returning next year.

There were five Buc boats that competed on the longest and most challenging course most of the Maritime athletes have ever seen.  At three and a half miles, this race seems like a marathon when compared to the 2,000 meter sprints the team will be rowing in the spring. With a nearly 360º turn at the very beginning, it presents a huge challenge to rowers and particularly the coxswains steering their shell.  As always, MMA athletes stepped up and navigated those challenges admirably, with great results in all our events.

The varsity men's four (MV4+) kicked off the proceedings with a 9th place finish, sandwiched between the top two Amherst College boats, with a time of 23:19.2.  Again proving that, pound for pound, the coxswain is the most valuable member of any boat, Eric Higgins directed Captain Quincy Smith, Will Poulin, Captain Seth Lapriore and Gabe Calouro over the nearly 6,000 kilometer distance.

Buccaneer varsity women were up next and produced an excellent 12th place result in one of the most highly subscribed events of the regatta.  Finishing in 27:15.5, Miah Archambault proved her driving chops, negotiating both steering and motivational responsibilities with aplomb and earning her rowers' praises.  Cat Swan, Coreen Carley, Colleen Weir and Meghan Reilly went toe to toe with New Englands' best rowers and showed their mettle, besting Bryant University, Assumption College, Coast Guard Academy and Trinity College.

Following up on their varsity counterpart's success, Maritime novice women secured 9th place in their very first opportunity to represent the Academy in competition. Olivia Field coxed this feisty and determined boat, comprised of Ella Strano, Elisabella Noonan, Samantha Coles and Molly Pike, who pushed through a daunting headwind through the final mile and a half to complete the course in 39:14.5, establishing a new course record!

After a brief intermission, racing resumed with MMA's eight - cox Sean O'Connell, Jake Awalt, Nick Mirabile, Nate Costa, John Carey, Jack Gerrior, Jacob Guthrie, Max Parker and Will Nolan - covering the distance in 21:27.5 for 16th place and besting NESCAC powerhouse Connecticut College by nine seconds.

Closing out a 'picture perfect' day of racing, Maritime's novice men fell short of Conn College with a 4th place result of 24:14.7 - just 40 seconds off the Camels pace but with a great time, nonetheless.

Throughout the day, from the arrival of the team bus at 6:15am until the departure of the shell trailer for Buzzards Bay at 4:00pm, the team was supported my our parents who gave our athletes every manner of support we could have asked for - from providing supplemental clothing to cope with early morning's low temperatures to emotional encouragement following race results that fell short of the team members' expectations.  The entire crew team and coaching staff cannot thank the parents enough for their broad shoulders and their excellent breakfast sandwiches, baked ziti, chili, meatballs, Fenway sausage and pepper subs, vegetable salads and fruit plates. Each week they provide our rowers nutritional as well as emotional nourishment that has helped grow our team and strengthen the Mass. Maritime Regiment.  We're very fortunate to have their enthusiastic encouragement.

The Buccaneer crew teams will be back at it in the Spring for the second half of their 2019-2020 season.