​NCDS Crew successfully competes in the 2012 Head of the Charles

By Alie Saraceno '14

With tents lining the banks of the Charles River and the sun shining, thousands of boats and athletes descended on the River for their chance to compete in the world’s largest two-day regatta.  On Sunday, October 21, 2012, eight Newton Country Day rowers competed in the 47th Head of the Charles Regatta. In total, this regatta attracts more than ten thousand spectators.

Newton Country Day Crew was the only program to enter two boats racing in event 37, the Women’s Youth Four.  This event was comprised from elite club racing teams and high school teams from all over the world.  Newton’s first boat, the Janet Erskine Stuart, boat number 17, was coxed by Kate O’Kelly-Lynch, and rowed by Maddy Supple, Marybeth Swords, Christina Fitzgerald, and Krissy Saraceno.  Newton’s second boat, The Rose Phillipine Duchesne, with bow number 46, was coxed by Yasmine Francis and lead by the following four rowers: Elizabeth Green, Caitlin Power, Karen Baldwin, and Megan Murray.

At 8:15 am, the ten members of the NCDS Crew team and coaches Spelman, Rauh, and Granata arrived at the Charles River.  After two months of training, they were prepared for the grueling challenges that lay ahead of them on their three-mile haul down the river.  At 9:00 am, after final boat adjustments and team meetings, the rowers were prepared and focused to dominate.  The boats were then hoisted and began to move towards the launch dock, near the Elliot Street Bridge.  Once on the dock, Kate and Yasmine gave orders to set their respective boats in the water.  With precision, the boats were then lowered, rowers stepped into their seats, and they were off to the start line. 

With a start time of 10:52 am, NCDS friends, family, and faculty congregated at the Elliot Bridge and waited for a glimpse of boats 17 and 46.  As time grew closer to their arrival, the number of NCDS spectators grew tremendously.  With the Elliot Bridge covered in spectators, NCDS students flanked both sides of the river.  After waiting for several minutes, boat number 17 came into site.  The Newton Country Day spectators erupted.  Under Kate’s command, the rowers and oars were synchronized and the Janet Erskine Stuart cut through the water catching up to, and passing, several boats ahead of them.  The cheering subsided as boat number 17 rounded the corner on their way to the finish line and in seconds were out of sight.  However, as Newton spectators just began to quiet down, boat number 46, with rowers pulling hard, quickly came through the Elliot Bridge and the crowds erupted yet again. 

In later discussion with the rowers, all commented on the echo of cheering and support that overcame them as they rowed under the Elliot bridge.  Some described the experience as “surreal”, “one of the best moments in high school”, and “something they will always remember.”  Overall, they agreed that the cheering and support gave them the energy to make the final push to the finish line and thanked all those that came out to support them.

With the Newton Country Day School boats moving sleekly through the waters and the coxswains navigating the river traffic, corners, and bridges with accuracy and precision, the boats were able to make history in the crew program at Newton.  Boat number 17 placed 10th among all 85 entries and 4th among all high school crew programs, finishing 28.72 seconds behind the first place finishers.  Boat 46 placed 52nd.  With a time that was 1.51 seconds behind the first place finisher.  Overall, the 47th Head of the Charles Regatta was a successful and memorable one for all rowers, coaches, and spectators of the Newton Country Day School community.