CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Barry University’s rowing crew repeated as champions at the Head of the Charles.
The Buccaneers Varsity 4+ of coxswain Stephanie Dinkel, stroke Rosie Boncheva, Anais Foppoli, Paola Girotto and bow Paula Klak won the 36-boat Women’s Collegiate Fours race in 18:22.32. It is the second straight year the Bucs won a 4 race at the prestigious regatta.
Barry’s 8+ will race at 3:08 p.m. Sunday in the Women’s Collegiate Eights.
This marks the 50th year of one of the fall season’s most recognized rowing events.
Barry was without head coach Boban Rankovic, who remained in South Florida for family reasons.
"It's another amazing year for BarryU rowing," Rankovic said. "It’s really exciting to win for a second year in a row at one of the most prestigious headraces in the world. Winning once at an event like this is exceptional, and you can hope and train hard to win it again, but because of the nature of the course and natural elements like weather and current, and different competitors, winning a second time around is harder and even sweeter.
"The ladies did a great job of executing their race plan from the start. From the first minute of the race they were leading, and we were seeing the benefit from the solid training program. I’m proud of how the athletes and coaches represented Barry Rowing today. Our hard work is paying off."