The girls first boat captured their second straight New England title with a first-place finish in the grand final to punch their ticket to the United States Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida. The boys first boat also earned a spot at nationals with a second-place finish in the grand final. All six of Exeter’s boats advanced into grand finals to complete a fantastic day of racing.

The girls top boat of Ava Cathey, Evie Gaylord, Sophie Turner, Chloe Bosma, Charlotte Dassori, Nora Unger, Sophia Slosek, Amelia Post, and Victoria Mabardy turned in a blistering time of 4:54.445 to earn first overall in a star-studded field to repeat as NEIRA champions. Exeter finished four-seconds ahead of second place finisher, Deerfield, and turned in the fastest NEIRA time since Big Red’s course record time of 4:46.61 in 2008.

The boys top boat of Mason Cotter, Ryan Chen, Emmett Nomellini, Matthew Minor, Monte Wood, Finn Lorgen, Arian Khichadia, Edward Garschina, and Rohit Kantamneni won their opening heat and advanced to the grand final where they placed second overall with a time of  4:16.412. The time is the fourth fastest NEIRA time ever and the second fastest in program history at the regatta. Their silver medal gives Big Red an automatic bid to nationals in June.

The Exeter girls rowed a VESPOLI VHP55 and the boys rowed a VESPOLI VHP56.