9/21/2002

Washington DC – The Georgetown heavyweight men's fall racing season started off strong Saturday at the Head of the Potomac. This time-trial event, the first in a series of four fall races for the Hoyas, culminated in what would prove to be their strongest overall result in recent history. All of the Hoya boats finished in the top five in their respective events, with one Hoya victory.

In the men's Open Eight Georgetown's varsity squad took the gold, finishing ahead of their closest competitors, Navy, by twelve seconds. Starting in the first position, the Hoyas steadily extended their margin of victory by settling into a powerful rhythm off the start and maintaining it throughout the sixteen minute race. Coxwain Alex Taft (Goshen, Ky./Kent School) called an aggressive race and was able to use the home course advantage to steer the Hoyas to victory. Stroke man Matt Hallisey (Durham, N.H./Phillips Exeter) and seven seat Ed Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taft School) set up the steady rhythm and were backed by the powerful bow six of Noah Bergman (Keene, N.H./Northfield Mount Hermon), Andrew Brown (Bridgewater, Mass./Thayer Academy), Tyler Holt (Chicago, Ill./The Latin School), Scott Stapleton (Oakland, Ca./College Preparatory School), Eric Hilmo (Springfield, Va./Pine Forest), and Dave Fernandez (Bronx, N.Y./Fordham Prep). The Hoya varsity continued its recent success against rowing rival Navy by defeating them for the second consecutive year at this event. The junior varsity also raced well, finishing in fourth place behind the varsity and two Navy crews.

In the Club Eight, the Hoyas finished third, defeating several area crews but finishing behind two boats of collegiate graduates from the elite Potomac Boat and Palm Beach Rowing Clubs.  The varsity four was able to use their experience to fight off some tough afternoon winds, finishing fifth. In the final event of the afternoon Georgetown finished second in the Mixed Eight, a composite lineup featuring men's heavyweights and lightweights, and women's openweights.

Georgetown continues its fall racing season on October 20th, when the Hoyas travel to Boston to compete in the Head of the Charles.