Fordham Women’s Rowing made their return to the river on Saturday, Oct. 8, in the Head of the Housatonic event in Shelton, Conn. to usher in the new rowing season. The race, held at Indian Well State Park, marks the first test for the team as they head into the 2022-23 season. The regatta featured seven other schools in the Women’s Collegiate Eight and six other schools in the Women’s Open Four+, both of which put forth a multitude of competitive boats in each event.

In the Four+, Fordham fielded five boats in the 4,350 meter race. Out of the 17 boats in the race, Fordham’s premier boat placed second with a time of 18:30.4. Four out of Fordham’s five entries finished within the top seven at the race, showing consistent success across all boats. The Varsity Eight did not find quite as much success, but battled through the difficult and windy conditions of the river to finish a respectable 17th out of 28 with a time of 17:14.9. This is a slight improvement from last year’s appearance, when the boat placed 17th out of a smaller field of 25 boats. The Fordham B boat finished in 25th, the Fordham C boat right behind in 26th and the Fordham D in 28th. 

This race also marked the return of head coach Rebecca Gronsdahl, who stepped into the role during the summer of 2021. Considering the team’s improved performance from Gronsdahl’s first Housatonic outing, she seems to be taking the team in a positive direction. This was the first time the team has had a returning head coach in two years, meaning the group finally seems to have found some much desired stability and hopes to foster consistent progress as the season moves forward.

With the first major event of the fall behind them, Fordham looks ahead to the Head of the Charles, one of the most renowned regattas of the season, in Cambridge, Mass. The race will be held on Oct. 21.