Worcester, Massachusetts — Marist Men’s Rowing faced off against strong competition at the Holy Cross Invitational, competing against teams from Holy Cross, Temple, Hobart, and Boston University this past Saturday.
Varsity Eight Race
Marist’s Varsity Eight crew kicked off with Tessa Kurtzman as coxswain and Will Shockley in the stroke seat. The team positioned itself well early on, sitting just three seats behind Temple and even with Hobart, while maintaining a comfortable lead over Holy Cross at the halfway mark. As the race progressed, Holy Cross surged ahead, and Marist fell behind by a length in the final stretch. Ultimately, Temple claimed victory, with Marist finishing strong but trailing by around five seconds with a time of 5:50.02.
Second Varsity Eight Performance
The 2V8, featuring Liam Ventresca as coxswain, had a more promising start. By the 500-meter mark, they led Holy Cross by two seats. They battled fiercely with Holy Cross, but in the final sprint, Holy Cross edged them out, finishing just a length ahead. Marist’s time was 5:59.1, again a solid performance compared to recent races.
Third Varsity Eight Outcome
In the Third Varsity Eight (3V8), Matthew Wright took the helm as coxswain. Unfortunately, they struggled out of the gate and couldn’t recover. While Holy Cross built a significant lead, Marist finished fourth with a time of 6:18.5, trailing the field.
Fourth Varsity Eight Matchup
Marist’s 4V8, with Evie Disque as coxswain, clung closely to Holy Cross initially but couldn’t maintain the momentum in the final stretch. They finished a few seats back with a time of 6:20.9.
At the end of the day, Temple celebrated a hard-earned victory, taking home the Mike Quinn Cup for the 2026 Season.
Coach’s Take
The Marist coach expressed pride in the team’s performance, noting the competitive nature of the event. Last year had been tough, but this season showed significant improvement. The team aims to find more speed in the upcoming weeks as they gear up for the Dad Vail Regatta.
Looking Ahead
Next, Marist will go head-to-head with MAAC rival Fairfield at home on April 25, marking Senior Day and finishing the regular season.
Trends and Insights
Rowing has gained popularity over recent years. According to a survey by the National Rowing Foundation, participation in collegiate rowing programs has increased by nearly 15% in the last decade. This trend highlights the growing interest in the sport and its competitive landscapes, underlying the significance of events like the Holy Cross Invitational for teams like Marist.
To see race videos and recaps, head over to the official Marist Rowing page.
