Harvard-Radcliffe Lightweights Dominate Varsity 8 and Lightweight 8 at Knecht Cup

The Harvard-Radcliffe Lightweight Rowing team proved why it’s ranked first in the country in Cherry Hill, N.J., at the Knecht Cup this weekend. The varsity eight had an especially commanding performance, placing first in both the lightweight eight+ and the varsity eight+ (V8+) races.

While the Harvard-Radcliffe rowers typically compete two to three times in a typical race weekend, many of the Black and White’s rowers raced five times this weekend at the Knecht Cup. The team’s Assistant Coach, Kate Kelly, noted that although it was a tiring weekend, it was a great opportunity to take on some of the nation’s best open weight teams that typically don’t race against lightweight teams.

“I was really, really impressed with the eight winning that final race in the open weight category with four other races already under their belt,” Kelly said. “Other teams may have gone into that race with fresh legs, but our girls being able to dig even with four races already under their belt through that weekend was pretty impressive to see that outcome.”

The V8+ was coxed by sophomore Ella Sheth and crewed by Elle Krywosa, junior captain Rikke Nielsen, captain Kristine Schwartz, Charlotte Paley, Jamie Reidy, captain Sisira Holbrook, Mary Mangan, and Hannah Marks.

In addition, one of the usual rowers in the V8+ fell ill just before the final, so junior Caitlyn Kukulowicz subbed in. Nielsen said this last-minute substitution showed the depth and camaraderie of the team.

“It takes a lot to just jump into a new boat and still go out and get the job done,” the junior captain said. “The entire team is also just so tight that it’s super easy to work with each other. No matter who’s in the boat, we know each other so well, it’ll be fun.”

The Harvard-Radcliffe team not only took home gold in both eights races but also took home a silver medal in the lightweight 4+ and a bronze medal in the novice 4+.

The double (2x) put up a blisteringly fast time in its semifinal, but struggled in the final race, placing sixth overall with a time of 09:12.78.

The Black and White boats a strong roster of student-athletes, and Kelly is pleased to be racing two competitive eights. The assistant coach emphasized that her rowers are ready to row any seat at any time.

The team trains twice a day with a break on Sundays. Nielsen highlighted that the team keeps its spirits high, despite the grueling hours and tough training sessions. The captains do their best to help keep their teammates on course for success, both on and off the water.

“We try to do social things outside of rowing as well, and try to keep a positive mindset and make sure to check in with people if they’re not feeling well,” Nielsen said.

Next weekend, the team will race in the Boston University Beanpot, facing off against BU and MIT on Boston’s two-kilometer course in the Charles River Basin. Before these races, Kelly plans to give the boats, especially the four and double, whose lineups were formed more recently, more practice working together as a unit to “clean up the edges” for the rest of the season.

Nielsen said the team is eager to compete closer to home in the Beanpot. The Aarhus, Denmark native noted that consistency and dedication throughout the next week are key for the team to perform at its highest level.

“We’re just doing the same as we’ve done all these other weekends, with a lot of good base training and training in the lineups to perfect our stroke and become even better and become closer as a team,” Nielsen said.

However, Harvard-Radcliffe doesn’t need too much encouragement to push itself to the best of its ability. Describing the team as a “self-motivated group,” Kelly credits the rowers for making her and Head Coach John Lindberg’s jobs relatively seamless.

“They know what they have to do. They know what the expectations are, and they hold themselves to a very high standard. So I actually find myself, and Coach John as well, letting the girls take the reins, because they know what they have to do,” Kelly said.

The Black and White are a collaborative and tight-knit group, focused on program wins over individual successes. Coach Kelly reemphasized her catchphrase to describe the team as one “that pushes from the bottom and pulls from the top.”

“Every single woman counts,” Kelly explained. “Every single seat matters. The name that goes on these trophies is Radcliffe. It’s not just one boat that is helping to win these cups or win these races. It really is the entire program.”

—Staff writer Avani Shah-Lipman can be reached at [email protected].