IBy Louis Morledge ’16

In what seems to have become routine, the Flyers once again made the odyssey down the New Jersey Turnpike in Big Bus 91 on Saturday, October 24.  The team ventured to Philadelphia for the second largest regatta of the fall season, the Head of the Schuylkill.

After a successful regatta last week, the crew felt they were getting closer to achieving the level they needed to beat rival Fordham Prep.  Armed with a new bucket rigging system, an arrangement used to apply more power from one side of the boat by placing two ports or starboards next to each other, the eight Varsity teammates made their way to the second most important regatta of the fall season.

“We’re hot on their tail, I can feel it in the energy of my rowers – all they need is the momentum at the start and we’ve got [Fordham],” said Timothy Mahler ’16 .  

Arriving in the city of brotherly love, the Flyers got what they wanted — Fordham Prep was starting the race right ahead of them.  Off the line, the boat moved at a 40 rating, matching Fordham’s boat through Strawberry Mansion Bridge.  Adrenalin was pumping as the team made a 1:42 split.  As they neared the first turn, Coxswain John Mcbride ’18 gave way for Mahler to “shoot the gap” in between his eight and another crew.  As they neared the final straightaway, the Flyers dropped splits, seeing as low as a 1:31.  Together, they finished with a time of 13:30 and placed 10th.

Along with the first eight’s success, the second varsity eight took second place to a highly regarded Brunswick crew.  They hounded down the course at a 33 rating and 1:44 split.  Coxswain William Mulhall ’17, known for his inspirational finishing calls, asked for a final push from each member of his crew as they entered their final straightaway.  Hearing the announcer mention the “speeding yellow boat from CHA-MIN-ADE,” the crew came together and sped along the banks of the Schuylkill.  Fighting for every stroke, they finished second with a time of 13:48.

Stroke Sean Mcintyre ’17 said after his row, “Although we took [Brunswick] two weeks ago at the Housatonic, they’re a big crew and we raced hard.”

Good luck to the Flyers as they finish their fall season!