The UConn women’s rowing team starts their fall season by competing in the Head of the Riverfront competition in Hartford, Connecticut on Oct. 6. A collection of high school, collegiate and masters level rowing teams will take part. The event is organized by Riverfront Recapture, a non-profit organization that aims to bring metropolitan Hartford and the Connecticut River together. They have hosted the event, called a regatta, since 1998.
The 2.5-mile route will take teams upstream on the Connecticut River, starting slightly north of Wethersfield Cove and continuing past the Trinity Boathouse and Charter Oak Bridge, which will be roughly a mile in. From there, the races will finish at the Founders Bridge.
Connecticut features seniors Isabella Arvanitis, Solenn Aubron, Jordan Brown, Dorota Harag, Medha Illindala, Madeyln Laprade, Olivia Orphanos and Caitlyn Simler. Arvanitis competed as the stroke in several competitions last season for the first varsity four. The stroke is the most important position in the boat as they sit closest to the stern and set the rhythm and stroke rate for the rest of the crew to follow. Arvanitis helped the first varsity four team place second last year in the Coastal Athletic Association Championship. At that event, which marked the close of the 2023-2024 season, UConn placed fourth overall in all races, a program-best. Brown, in last year’s Head of the Riverfront event, competed as the stroke for both the Open Eight ‘C’ and Open Four ‘D’ categories. Orphanos competed as the bow seat, the first position on the boat, for the first varsity four and first varsity eight in multiple events last season, including the DeLand Double Duals and the Knecht Cup. As a sophomore, she was often the two seat for the first varsity four and first varsity eight.
Junior Megan Alvarado should also be an important contributor for the Huskies. Last season, Alvarado competed as coxswain of the second varsity four team, giving directions and steering the boat to avoid obstacles and other crews. Other juniors to watch out for include Charlotte Bogen, who competed in a variety of seats but most often took the sixth or seventh spots for the second varsity eight, and Sydell Lecher, a native of Kent, Con. Lecher served as the bow seat for the open eight ‘C’ at last year’s Head of the Riverfront.
Connecticut also welcomes several newcomers to the rowing squad. In total, there are 20 freshmen on the roster who are looking to make an early contribution to the team’s success.