Gagliardi and Malachin named to All-Patriot League teams

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After a season which saw them lead Lehigh women's rowing team to its best-ever finish at the Patriot League Championship, sophomore Elizabeth Gagliardi has been named first team All-Patriot League while junior Julianna Malachin has garnered second team laurels, as announced by the league on Wednesday. Both were members of Lehigh's Varsity Eight this season, which finished fifth in last Friday's league championship, one spot ahead of a perennially strong Bucknell program that's won seven of the 13 all-time Patriot League team championships.

Strong competitors who support and push each other, and their teammates, Gagliardi and Malachin embody Lehigh Athletics' five pillars (Self-Awareness, Integrity, Competitiveness, Team First and Toughness). Gagliardi rowed in the seven seat while Malachin was in the six seat of the Varsity Eight, which posted a time of 7:20.316 in the heats of the 2017 Patriot League Championship. The crew finished more than 11 seconds ahead of Holy Cross to advance to the grand final, where it finished fifth with a time of 7:31.560.

The Varsity Eight also defeated Holy Cross in the regular season for a second straight year after previously not beating the Crusaders since 2007. Gagliardi and Malachin defeated perennial Division II National Championship contender Mercyhurst by more than 10 seconds in a dual race and finished first in the River Cup with a time of 8:13.00, well ahead of Philadelphia University in second (8:26.03) and Lafayette in third (8:33.99). The Varsity Eight also reached the grand final at the Kerr Cup, finishing ahead of Villanova, Loyola and La Salle in the process.

The Mountain Hawks finished the 2017 Patriot League Championship with 26 points, a school record and eight more than any previous league championship in program history. Lehigh tied Holy Cross for sixth place overall, finishing ahead of Colgate and Loyola and just seven points behind fifth place (MIT), eight out of fourth place (Bucknell) and 10 behind third place (Georgetown). The Mountain Hawks' Varsity Eight and Varsity Four reached their grand finals, each finishing fifth, while the Second Varsity Eight won the petite final in convincing fashion, by more than 24 seconds.

Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.

2017 All-Patriot League Women's Rowing

Patriot League Coach of the Year: Holly Metcalf, MIT
Patriot League Boat of the Year: Boston University Varsity Eight

First Team
Coxswain: Marlaina Miller, Boston U., Sr.
Emily Huber, Boston U., Sr.
Annalise Routenberg, Boston U., Sr.
Kitty Tolman, Boston U., Jr.
Monica Firmani, Georgetown, So.
Liz Gagliardi, Lehigh So.
Larkin Sayre, MIT, Sr.
Julia Arthur, Navy, Sr.
Ashlyn Dawson, Navy, Fr.

Second Team
Laura Anhalt, Boston U., Jr.
Kristina Damm, Boston U., Sr.
Emma Quirk, Boston U., So.
Natalie Minella, Bucknell, Fr.
Sophie Kershaw, Georgetown, Jr.
Jules Malachin, Lehigh, Jr.
Savannah Inglin, MIT, Fr.
Coxswain: Molly McAleer, Navy, Jr.
Grace Lawrence, Navy, Fr.

PATRIOT LEAGUE WOMEN'S ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM RESULTS
1. Navy, 51 points
2. Boston University, 46 points
3. Georgetown, 36 points
4. Bucknell, 34 points
5. MIT, 33 points
t-6. Lehigh, 26 points
t-6. Holy Cross, 26 points
8. Colgate, 11 points
9. Loyola Maryland, 7 points

Upcoming Event: Women's Rowing at Knecht Cup on April 11, 2026

Upcoming Event: Women's Rowing at Lake Wheeler Invite on April 24, 2026

Upcoming Event: Women's Rowing at Colgate on May 2, 2026

Upcoming Event: Women's Rowing versus Patriot League Championships on May 15, 2026

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Drexel and George Washington on April 4, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing versus Mountain Hawk Invite on March 28, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing versus Class Day Regatta on November 1, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Head of the Schuylkill on October 25, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Head of the Charles on October 18, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Head of the Housatonic on October 11, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing versus Scrimmage on September 27, 2025 ,

Lehigh University Athletics

Gagliardi and Malachin named to All-Patriot League teams

Related News

Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Gagliardi

Julianna Malachin

Related Videos