PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Sacred Heart University women's rowing team turned in an impressive collective performance at the 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, highlighted by the program's first-ever gold medal and a series of strong finishes across multiple events. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers, the First Varsity 8 placed seventh out of 29 crews in the Championship 8 event, finishing just seven seconds off the podium in a competitive field featuring some of the top programs in the region.

The Second Varsity 8 followed with a strong performance of its own, finishing 19th out of 29 in the Championship 8. The crew outpaced all but one of the other second varsity boats in the field.

In the Club Championship 8, Sacred Heart's depth was on full display. The Third Varsity 8 placed 22nd out of 55, finishing ahead of reigning MAAC Champion Fairfield University's Second Varsity 8 — a statement result that highlights the Pioneers' continued progress across all boats. 

The Fourth Varsity 8 added to that success, placing 30th out of 55 and also finishing ahead of Fairfield's 3V8 while staying close behind their 2V8.

The First Lightweight 8 turned in its best performance of the fall, placing eighth in the Club Championship 8. The crew earned a top-10 finish while racing against competitive openweight lineups.

The highlight of the day came in the Collegiate Double (2x), where Sacred Heart's lightweight double — made up of twin transfer athletes competing in their first fall with the Pioneers — delivered a thrilling performance. After racing earlier in the lightweight 8, the pair immediately returned to the water and captured Sacred Heart's first-ever gold medal at the Head of the Schuylkill, capping a memorable weekend for the program.

"Row with Heart showed up in force at the Head of the Schuylkill this year, fielding five eights and a double that raced throughout the afternoon and exceeded expectations across the board," said assistant Coach Dawson Shyne-Appignani. "Between capturing a gold medal for the first time and earning top-10 finishes in both the Championship 8 and Club Championship 8, the team feels primed for the final fall race next weekend on our home course — and these women are hungry for more!"

"With continued growth and speed across all boats, our team showed up in force, fielding six entries, each with their own goals and accomplishments," said assistant coach Stephanie Allgood. "SHU Rowing continues to make its mark as an emerging power in the rowing community across both the openweight and lightweight classes. I'm excited to see our seniors lead us into our final fall race of the season, and for our walk-ons to showcase their talent on our home course."

The Pioneers will host the Heart of the Housatonic to conclude the fall season on Saturday, Nov. 1.