Eph Oarsmen Claim 2nd Place at Housatonic Regatta

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SHELTON, CT – The Williams College men’s crew finished a strong second place in the Head of the Housatonic Regatta, their first race of the fall season. The 2V finished ninth, just ahead of Trinity’s 3V.

Oarsmen of the 1V completed the 5000 meter course in just over 13:15, behind Fordham University at 13:03, but ahead of Wesleyan at 13:28. The 1V settled into a conservative but powerful rhythm expecting a longer race, but were surprised by a shortened final stretch. Despite the hiccup, freshman Stroke Alex Treco ’12 commented that “this race is a stepping stone to a greater potential for the crew.”

Trinity’s 1V, entered in the Division I equivalent heat, claimed a time of 13:08, seven seconds ahead of the Eph’s 1V. The 2V raced with a time of 14:03, just edging out Trinity’s 3V. Williams’ 3V and novices did not race.

Following the grueling eights race, the top twelve oarsmen competed in three mixed fours. The first boat came in overall in third, while the others came in fifth and tenth.

Unphased by the results of the fours races, the crew relished in its hearteningly strong performance. Typically, Williams loses to its rivals in the fall, only to challenge them in the more prestigious spring season.

Eph Oarsmen lost many senior rowers, but have been marshaled to success by their new interim head coach Ben Lewis. Hailing from Great Britain’s Leander Club, he has demanded a new level of performance. While readying the trailer, he remarked that the crew “has lots of potential, and lots of work yet to do. We had a good start to the season; we got the ball rolling; now we got to keep it up.”

Senior captains Rob Buesing ’09 and Andy Ward ’09 commented “The great thing is that [the regatta] doesn’t mean much, there was some confusion about the finish line, but we had a good margin on our rivals, we set a good lower bound for the season’s performance.”

Both Crews are anxious to show their potential in next week’s Head of the Charles Regatta, where they will face Trinity and other Division III equivalent crews.

Eights race results can be found here, fours results here.

1st Varsity Eight

Dan Winston ’09- Coxswain
Alex Treco ’12 – Stroke
Andy Ward ’09- 7-Seat *
Robert Buesing ’09 – 6 Seat *
Jack Wadden ’11 – 5-Seat
Ken Sluis ’11 – 4-Seat
Dan Kenefick ’11 – 3-Seat
Joey Kiernan ‘11– 2-Seat
Dan Costanza ‘11 - Bow

2nd Varsity Eight

Mike Abrams ’09 – Coxswain
Cameron Skinner ’10 – Stroke

Crosby Fish ’10 – 7-Seat
Shawn Curley ’11 – 6-Seat
Michael Sacks ’09 – 5-Seat *
Patrick Chaney ’10 – 4-Seat
Matthew Everhart ’11 – 3-Seat
Chris Ting ’10 – 2-Seat
Nathaniel Lim ’11 - Bow

Four #1

Mike Abrams ’09 – Coxswain
Alex Treco ’12 – Stroke
Andy Ward ’09- 3-Seat *
Joey Kiernan ‘11– 2-Seat
Dan Costanza ‘11 - Bow

Four #2

Dan Winston ’09- Coxswain
Jack Wadden ’11 – Stroke
Robert Buesing ’09 – 3-Seat *
Dan Kenefick ’11 – 2-Seat
Ken Sluis ’11 – Bow

Four #3

Shawn Curley ’11 – Stroke
Crosby Fish ’10 – 3-Seat
Cameron Skinner ’10 – 2-Seat
Nathaniel Lim ’11 - Bow

* - Indicates Captain
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026. 
 
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
 
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities. 
 
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
 
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society,  the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate. 
 
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student. 
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