The Hobart and William Smith sailing team tackled a demanding schedule this past weekend, competing at three regattas across the East Coast on Oct. 10-11. HWS sailing sent crews to the Open Atlantic Coast Championship Round 1B in Annapolis, Maryland, the Oyster Bowl in Washington, DC, and the Stu Nelson at Connecticut College. The weekend’s standout result was a strong third-place finish at the Oyster Bowl.
At the Oyster Bowl, only seven teams competed in one large combined division. HWS accumulated 200 points across the weekend, finishing just 10 points behind runner-up Pennsylvania. First-year Jason Folvig and senior Bennett O’Keefe represented the Herons in B Division, placing fifth overall with 99 points. The pair crossed the line in the top 10 in 12 of 14 races completed and finished third on two occasions. Junior James Kopack and sophomore Jamie McGuffee sailed in A Division, finishing seventh overall and second among A Division boats with 101 points. Kopack and McGuffee notched top-10 finishes in 11 races and took second place twice. Navy won the regatta.
At the Open ACC’s Round 1B in Annapolis, HWS placed 13th of 18 teams with 222 points. Seniors JJ Klempen and Stella Kim sailed in A Division, compiling 91 points over the weekend. They won the second race and recorded six top-10 finishes. First-years DB Murray and Ellery Kloc competed in B Division, finishing 15th with 131 points and crossing the line in the top 10 three times.
At the Stu Nelson in New London, Connecticut, William Smith sailors contended with light breezes that limited racing to just four contests in each division. Juniors Sabrina Starck and Olivia Wilkins sailed in A Division. Sophomore Keelyn Brink, juniors Lauren Campbell and Lucy Lack, and first-year Genevieve Heiermann competed in B Division. Sophomore Moira Padilla Velasquez and senior Reilly Roedel sailed in C Division.
Looking ahead, HWS will be back on the water this coming weekend for another three-regatta stretch. The coed team will travel to Kings Point, New York, for the Nevins Trophy and will host the David Lee Arnoff Trophy on home waters. William Smith sailors will head to St. Mary’s City, Maryland, for the Women’s ACC Finals.
