Sacred Heart
MAAC Championship
Sacred Heart Captures Three Medals at MAAC Championships
5/18/2026 11:54:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Cherry Hill, N.J. – Sacred Heart women’s rowing closed out the 2026 season with three medal performances at the MAAC Championships.
Cherry Hill, N.J. – Sacred Heart women's rowing closed out the 2026 season with three medal performances at the MAAC Championships, highlighted by silver-medal finishes in the Varsity 8, along with a bronze-medal effort from the Varsity Four and Second Varsity 8.
Sacred Heart's Varsity 8 turned in one of the most dramatic races of the day, finishing second in 6:46.238 after battling back from nearly a length down to edge Marist by just over a tenth of a second. Jacksonville claimed gold in 6:43.185, while Sacred Heart's silver marked one of the closest finishes of the championship.
"The most fun race this year was the tough and stubborn race from the first varsity," head coach Luke Wilhelm said. "They walked back from a length down to win a silver medal at the last stroke of the race. Coxswain Mia Bottone raced her heart out. Senior Olivia Chasse went out with an awesome season of growth. I could shout out the whole crew, but eight out of nine should be back to change the color of that medal."
The Second Varsity 8 earned bronze, crossing in 6:53.333 behind Jacksonville and Marist. The crew stayed in the mix throughout and added another podium finish for the Pioneers.
"Our 2V is so fun to work with," Wilhelm said. "It's a boat full of dawgs who love to race. We will miss senior captain Doria Lukasik-Drescher, who leaves SHU with an outstanding career and a lasting legacy. The rest of the crew will be back to take another crack at gold next year. Young and hungry to say the least."
The Varsity Four captured bronze with a time of 7:35.579, finishing behind only Marist and Jacksonville while comfortably ahead of Fairfield. It marked another podium finish for one of Sacred Heart's most consistent crews throughout the spring.
"I am very proud of the V4+ for their hard-fought bronze medal," Wilhelm said. "It has been a great season of development for this group, with three of the five racing in their first MAAC championship. They rowed gutsy and aggressive. Great job from coxswain Sophia Bittar, who has always medaled at this regatta, and stroke Rose Kelly for leading this crew all year."
Sacred Heart's Second Varsity Four added a strong fourth-place finish in 8:01.430, just seconds off the podium in a competitive field. The crew featured a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, positioning the group for continued growth moving forward.
"Our 2V4+ has a ton of potential for growth toward the future," Wilhelm said. "The lone senior is an all-time legend for the program in Sydney Marcy, but the other four are girls who stepped up in a major way and will make a big impact for years to come."
Wilhelm closed the championship by reflecting on the program's culture and the long-term growth of the team.
"I am so proud of this team and confident that the women who come to row for us develop as people and as rowers," Wilhelm said. "They become forces for good in the world beyond our campus, and they can make SHU great during their four years racing for us."
Boat Lineups:
1V8
Mia Bottone
Kaela Borelli
Olivia Chasse
Lily Holt
Giovanna Ponte
Giulianna McCarthy
Meredith Sommers
Samantha Keith
Susan Munley
2v8
Annalise Yartz
Olivia Caione
Elizabeth Russell
Kadence Faucher
Doria Lukasik-Drescher
Kameron Siiss
Lauren McQuillan
Lauren Durkin
Caitlyn Bergman
1v4
Sophia Bittar
Rose Kelly
Sophia O'Malley
Lila Shover
Julia Campbell
2v4
Casey Leaver
Sydney Marcy
Natalia Sullivan
Dalynn Jackson
Olivia Kowalski
Results:
2v4
Jacksonville A 7:50.070
Jacksonville B 7:54.643
Marist A 7:56.512
Sacred Heart 8:01.430
Fairfield B 8:29.275
Marist B 8:40.979
Fairfield A 8:51.295
1v4
Marist 7:29.468
Jacksonville 7:32.810
Sacred Heart 7:35.579
Fairfield 7:45.554
Stetson 8:19.432
Canisius 8:38.761
Merrimack 9:05.903
2v8
Jacksonville 6:48.493
Marist 6:51.106
Sacred Heart 6:53.333
Canisius 7:03.820
Stetson 7:17.333
Fairfield 7:22.149
1v8
Jacksonville 6:43.185
Sacred Heart 6:46.238
Marist 6:46.347
Fairfield 6:51.274
Canisius 7:02.201
Stetson 7:08.814
Merrimack 7:11.023
