Bucknell University Athletics
Friday, May 13
Cherry Hill, N.J. (Cooper River)
Bucknell University
vs
Patriot League Championships
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Varsity Eight Captures Gold at Patriot League Championships to Spark Runner-Up Team Finish
5/13/2022 3:47:00 PM | Women's Rowing
FINAL RESULTS
RELIVE BUCKNELL'S GOLD-MEDAL RUN:
CHERRY HILL, N.J. – A sensational gold-medal performance from the Varsity Eight capped off a third straight Patriot League Championships runner-up finish for the Bucknell rowing team on Friday on the Cooper River.
The Bison Varsity Eight defeated second-place Boston University by more than seven seconds and third-place Navy by more than nine on the way to 2022 Patriot League Boat of the Year honors. The victory was especially stunning after Bucknell posted the fifth-fastest morning preliminary time (7:17.817), but they improved by 28 seconds to 6:49.813 to win by open water out of lane six in the final. It was the third-largest margin of victory in the Varsity Eight final in league history and the largest since Bucknell defeated Navy by just under 15 seconds all the way back in 2008.
It was the first Patriot League title for the Varsity Eight since 2012, and the first gold medal for any Bucknell boat since the Second Varsity Eight won in 2016. Bucknell's V8+ was coxed by Juliette Gaggini, with Erin Sullivan in the stroke seat followed by Maddie Wickers, Natalie Kreusch, Caroline Brandt, Kona Glenn, Hayden Groves, Kate Meerscheidt, and Elizabeth Berlinger.
Team points were awarded based on finish in all three events – the Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, and Varsity Four. Boston University accrued 50 points to edge the Bison with 48. Navy's run of six consecutive titles came to an end as the Mids finished in third place with 46 points. Georgetown took fourth with 31, followed by Lehigh (29), MIT (28), Colgate (16), Holy Cross (13), and Loyola (8).
Bucknell's Varsity Four and Second Varsity Eight both earned bronze medals. The V4+ led for the first 500 meters before finishing in 8:16.739, about four seconds behind Navy and about two seconds behind runner-up Boston University. The 2V8+ was a solid third behind Boston University and Navy, finishing in 7:30.554.
In the Varsity Eight Grand Final to conclude the day, it was Boston University jumping out to a four-seat lead early in the race. Bucknell pulled even two minutes into the race, and by the 1,000-meter mark the Bison had pulled ahead by about a boatlength. The Terriers closed the gap slightly over the next 200 meters, but the Bison dominated the finish to claim Boat of the Year honors for the first time in 10 years.
"I'm incredibly proud of the entire team," said head coach Stephen Kish. "Not just the 25 women who were here today but everyone who raced all year long. The Varsity Four had a very inspiring race, and Abby Gerst in the stroke seat in her very first season as a rower is a big sign for things to come. The Varsity Eight was also an inspiring performance. We knew they had it in them, and to see them go out and win by that margin was pretty historic."
2022 Patriot League Women's Rowing Championship Standings
1. Boston University – 50
2. Bucknell – 48
3. Navy – 46
4. Georgetown – 31
5. Lehigh – 29
6. MIT – 28
7. Colgate – 16
8. Holy Cross – 13
9. Loyola Maryland – 8
2022 Patriot League Women's Rowing Boat of the Year
Bucknell Varsity 8
2022 Patriot League Women's Rowing Coach of the Year
Madeline Davis-Tully, Boston University
BUCKNELL LINEUPS
V8
C. Juliette Gaggini
8. Erin Sullivan
7. Maddie Wickers
6. Natalie Kreusch
5. Caroline Brandt
4. Kona Glenn
3. Hayden Groves
2. Kate Meerscheidt
1. Elizabeth Berlinger
2V8
C. Ollie McDonald
8. Georgia Lambrakis
7. Chloe Segal
6. Amanda Pennett
5. Alina Kelly
4. Jess Volcheck
3. Caroline Keating
2. Christina DeMola
1. Annabelle Kaeli
V4
4. Abby Gerst
3. Elliana Steely
2. Abby Malek
1. Millie Malloy
C. Ava Rysman
Gallery: (5-16-2022) Rowing at Patriot League Championships
RELIVE BUCKNELL'S GOLD-MEDAL RUN:
CHERRY HILL, N.J. – A sensational gold-medal performance from the Varsity Eight capped off a third straight Patriot League Championships runner-up finish for the Bucknell rowing team on Friday on the Cooper River.
The Bison Varsity Eight defeated second-place Boston University by more than seven seconds and third-place Navy by more than nine on the way to 2022 Patriot League Boat of the Year honors. The victory was especially stunning after Bucknell posted the fifth-fastest morning preliminary time (7:17.817), but they improved by 28 seconds to 6:49.813 to win by open water out of lane six in the final. It was the third-largest margin of victory in the Varsity Eight final in league history and the largest since Bucknell defeated Navy by just under 15 seconds all the way back in 2008.
It was the first Patriot League title for the Varsity Eight since 2012, and the first gold medal for any Bucknell boat since the Second Varsity Eight won in 2016. Bucknell's V8+ was coxed by Juliette Gaggini, with Erin Sullivan in the stroke seat followed by Maddie Wickers, Natalie Kreusch, Caroline Brandt, Kona Glenn, Hayden Groves, Kate Meerscheidt, and Elizabeth Berlinger.
Team points were awarded based on finish in all three events – the Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, and Varsity Four. Boston University accrued 50 points to edge the Bison with 48. Navy's run of six consecutive titles came to an end as the Mids finished in third place with 46 points. Georgetown took fourth with 31, followed by Lehigh (29), MIT (28), Colgate (16), Holy Cross (13), and Loyola (8).
Bucknell's Varsity Four and Second Varsity Eight both earned bronze medals. The V4+ led for the first 500 meters before finishing in 8:16.739, about four seconds behind Navy and about two seconds behind runner-up Boston University. The 2V8+ was a solid third behind Boston University and Navy, finishing in 7:30.554.
In the Varsity Eight Grand Final to conclude the day, it was Boston University jumping out to a four-seat lead early in the race. Bucknell pulled even two minutes into the race, and by the 1,000-meter mark the Bison had pulled ahead by about a boatlength. The Terriers closed the gap slightly over the next 200 meters, but the Bison dominated the finish to claim Boat of the Year honors for the first time in 10 years.
"I'm incredibly proud of the entire team," said head coach Stephen Kish. "Not just the 25 women who were here today but everyone who raced all year long. The Varsity Four had a very inspiring race, and Abby Gerst in the stroke seat in her very first season as a rower is a big sign for things to come. The Varsity Eight was also an inspiring performance. We knew they had it in them, and to see them go out and win by that margin was pretty historic."
Let's take a look at the finish of the Varsity Eight, as seen on @PatriotLeagueTV. The Bison went 28 seconds faster than their morning prelim time to capture gold! #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/NO3F92p6wE
— Bucknell Rowing (@Bucknell_ROW) May 13, 2022
2022 Patriot League Women's Rowing Championship Standings
1. Boston University – 50
2. Bucknell – 48
3. Navy – 46
4. Georgetown – 31
5. Lehigh – 29
6. MIT – 28
7. Colgate – 16
8. Holy Cross – 13
9. Loyola Maryland – 8
2022 Patriot League Women's Rowing Boat of the Year
Bucknell Varsity 8
2022 Patriot League Women's Rowing Coach of the Year
Madeline Davis-Tully, Boston University
BUCKNELL LINEUPS
V8
C. Juliette Gaggini
8. Erin Sullivan
7. Maddie Wickers
6. Natalie Kreusch
5. Caroline Brandt
4. Kona Glenn
3. Hayden Groves
2. Kate Meerscheidt
1. Elizabeth Berlinger
2V8
C. Ollie McDonald
8. Georgia Lambrakis
7. Chloe Segal
6. Amanda Pennett
5. Alina Kelly
4. Jess Volcheck
3. Caroline Keating
2. Christina DeMola
1. Annabelle Kaeli
V4
4. Abby Gerst
3. Elliana Steely
2. Abby Malek
1. Millie Malloy
C. Ava Rysman
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
Bucknell Men's Basketball Post Game: Patriot League Tournament 1st Round vs Navy
Wednesday, March 04
In The Herd: Patriot League Opening Round Game Preview And Achile Spadone Feature
Monday, March 02
In The Herd: EIWA Championships Preview And Dillon Bechtold Feature
Monday, March 02
ECAC OPEN SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS (3/01/26 - Sunday Finals Session)
Monday, March 02