Saturday, April 6
Quakertown, Pa.
Lehigh University
vs
Loyola, Fairfield and Iona
Season Preview: Back On The Water
4/5/2024 11:53:00 AM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With the fall season and preseason scrimmages behind them, Lehigh rowing is now ready to begin the spring season. The men's team returns to the water following the team's first Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) championship while the women's team is primed to take big strides this spring.
"We graduated a strong and dedicated senior class last year, and I think the team has done a really good job of understanding that responsibility and bringing increased competitiveness at practice," said Steven J. '69 & Karen A. Lee head coach Peter Costas. "That's truly been our goal; to practice well and elevate each other well with high-level intensity, focus and aggressiveness."
It's never easy to replace senior leadership, but Costas believes that his team has taken the necessary steps to prepare themselves for high-level competition this season. Not only has Costas noticed a renewed intensity at practice, he also credits the live reps against outside competition in the offseason as a catalyst for success.
"With the energy and speed those teams brought, it was for real out there for our team, which was exactly we were hoping to expose them to," said Costas on his team's offseason scrimmages. "We found it to be really productive and kind of acted as an alarm clock for our season. It shows us, particularly for first-years that haven't raced at the collegiate level, what is the intensity level that racing operates in."
The Mountain Hawks return several key contributors to both teams in 2024. Mina Petrovic and Julia McDougall return as leaders on the women's side while Baxter Reihman has emerged as a key leader for the men's team.
"[Mina] is warm and caring off the water, but she races hard and really flips a switch when practice starts," said Costas. "We're also returning our coxswain Julia; she keeps a consistent tone and confidence for that group."
"On the men's side, our high performer has been Baxter. He's brought the same level of urgency, work ethic and intensity to his training and has set an incredible example for the rest of the team."
Several first-year student-athletes are filling up spots in both the women's and men's first varsity boats. Evan McDonnell and Drew Hetzer have earned starting spots on the men's team while Meghan Hastings has found a spot in the women's first varsity boat in her first season with the Mountain Hawks.
"[Meg] worked incredibly hard this winter and saw incredible improvement and has filled a key role for us," said Costas. "From the first speed order we had at practice for the men, there really was a tone set with a boat that was largely first-years on the first day. We're really happy on both rosters with the toughness and consistency from our first-years."
While key leaders and an impressive first-year class make up some of Lehigh's teams, there are many other contributors who have shown improvement headed into the season. Costas cites Gabriella Pontoriero, Jenna O'Dell, Catherine Hilow, Sophia Foster and Franki Morrell as members of the women's team that have stood out in that regard.
"Gabriella has really flipped a switch and has put incredible leadership, patience and consistency to it. She motivated the team to work hard over the summer and stay consistent, and she held herself to that standard," said Costas. "I was really impressed with the strides Jenna made, she worked hard and consistently to break through some walls and find a new PR."
"Catherine and Sophia were both working back from injury and have shown patience, toughness and a maturity to redevelop their confidence and return to being key contributors for us," said Costas. "Franki as a senior has galvanized the toughness and work ethic of the group. She's maybe the most detail-oriented and hardworking member we have, and its not surprise the things she's also doing in the classroom."
On the men's side, Costas notes Joseph Carruth, William Snider, and Derek Hammerstone as rowers who have shown improvement and an ability to help the team wherever needed.
"Joseph is someone who stands out as an experienced guy, a guy who is continuing to hone his craft, and he's made really good steps this year," said Costas. "Will was new to the sport last year, and he's been on a really solid track. He's been pushing himself towards the top end of the team, which I think reflects a lot of character. Derek is the other who we've had all over the place, rowing different sides and plugging where he's needed. His leadership and enthusiasm for this whole roster performing has set a personality for the whole group."
The first competition for the Mountain Hawks this spring will take place on Saturday, April 6 at nearby Lake Nockamixon in Quakertown. Lehigh is set to host Loyola Maryland, Fairfield and Iona on both the men's and women's sides for a series of races.
"It's three quality programs that are coming in, and not being surprised by that is part of the reason we put together the scrimmages that we did," said Costas. "We expect Fairfield, Iona and Loyola to come racing. It's going to be a really good test to see where we're at with those teams."
While results and outcomes are certainly something to keep an eye on, Costas says he's more concerned with seeing his team race with toughness and a sense of urgency.
"A perfect outcome from my vantage point is that we race seven boats and seven boats come out feeling like it was a complete effort and that they responded well under pressure," said Costas.
Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Women's Lineups
Women's 1v8+
 C – Julia McDougall
8 – Mina Petrovic
7 – Isabella Thompson-Carpenter
6 – Sophia Foster
5 – Catherine Hilow
4 – Jenna O'Dell
3 – Meghan Hastings
2 – Gabriella Pontoriero
1 – Franki Morrell
Â
Women's 2v8+
C – Ava Albano
8 -Â Katerina Bazarko
7 – Emma Litchfield
6 – Alexandria Nehme
5 – Jordan Roth
4 – Lydia Sheeser
3 – Adelaide Weir
2 – Madison Goldstein
1 – Lily Glenning
Women's Varsity 4+
C – Rylee Stancliffe
4 – Tess Koleno
3 – Grace Ioffe
2 – Sofia Bove
1 – Amaya Yarrish
Women's 2nd Varsity 4+
C – Eirinn Sikes
4 – Olivia Shafer
3 – Catherine Yazdanyar
2 – Reva Singh
1 – Emma Jovanovic
Men's Lineups
Â
Men's 1v8+
C – Schuyler JoergerÂ
8 – Evan McDonnell
7 – Drew Hetzer
6 – Zachary Wexler
5 – Baxter Reihman
4 – William Snider
3 – Colby Brogan
2 – Joseph Carruth
1 – Andrew Lundgren
Â
Men's 2v8+
C – Laney DonnellyÂ
8 – Sam Jones
7 – Patrick Flynn
6 – David Huang
5 – Alex Blaszkiewicz
4 – John Deutch
3 – Jack Wicke
2 – Derek Hammerstone
1 – Corbin Homan
Â
Men's 4+
C – Aidan Judge
4 – Zakei Shah
3 – Brandon Smeltz
2 – Luke Blum
1 – Ben Radoslovich
Â
"We graduated a strong and dedicated senior class last year, and I think the team has done a really good job of understanding that responsibility and bringing increased competitiveness at practice," said Steven J. '69 & Karen A. Lee head coach Peter Costas. "That's truly been our goal; to practice well and elevate each other well with high-level intensity, focus and aggressiveness."
It's never easy to replace senior leadership, but Costas believes that his team has taken the necessary steps to prepare themselves for high-level competition this season. Not only has Costas noticed a renewed intensity at practice, he also credits the live reps against outside competition in the offseason as a catalyst for success.
"With the energy and speed those teams brought, it was for real out there for our team, which was exactly we were hoping to expose them to," said Costas on his team's offseason scrimmages. "We found it to be really productive and kind of acted as an alarm clock for our season. It shows us, particularly for first-years that haven't raced at the collegiate level, what is the intensity level that racing operates in."
The Mountain Hawks return several key contributors to both teams in 2024. Mina Petrovic and Julia McDougall return as leaders on the women's side while Baxter Reihman has emerged as a key leader for the men's team.
"[Mina] is warm and caring off the water, but she races hard and really flips a switch when practice starts," said Costas. "We're also returning our coxswain Julia; she keeps a consistent tone and confidence for that group."
"On the men's side, our high performer has been Baxter. He's brought the same level of urgency, work ethic and intensity to his training and has set an incredible example for the rest of the team."
Several first-year student-athletes are filling up spots in both the women's and men's first varsity boats. Evan McDonnell and Drew Hetzer have earned starting spots on the men's team while Meghan Hastings has found a spot in the women's first varsity boat in her first season with the Mountain Hawks.
"[Meg] worked incredibly hard this winter and saw incredible improvement and has filled a key role for us," said Costas. "From the first speed order we had at practice for the men, there really was a tone set with a boat that was largely first-years on the first day. We're really happy on both rosters with the toughness and consistency from our first-years."
While key leaders and an impressive first-year class make up some of Lehigh's teams, there are many other contributors who have shown improvement headed into the season. Costas cites Gabriella Pontoriero, Jenna O'Dell, Catherine Hilow, Sophia Foster and Franki Morrell as members of the women's team that have stood out in that regard.
"Gabriella has really flipped a switch and has put incredible leadership, patience and consistency to it. She motivated the team to work hard over the summer and stay consistent, and she held herself to that standard," said Costas. "I was really impressed with the strides Jenna made, she worked hard and consistently to break through some walls and find a new PR."
"Catherine and Sophia were both working back from injury and have shown patience, toughness and a maturity to redevelop their confidence and return to being key contributors for us," said Costas. "Franki as a senior has galvanized the toughness and work ethic of the group. She's maybe the most detail-oriented and hardworking member we have, and its not surprise the things she's also doing in the classroom."
On the men's side, Costas notes Joseph Carruth, William Snider, and Derek Hammerstone as rowers who have shown improvement and an ability to help the team wherever needed.
"Joseph is someone who stands out as an experienced guy, a guy who is continuing to hone his craft, and he's made really good steps this year," said Costas. "Will was new to the sport last year, and he's been on a really solid track. He's been pushing himself towards the top end of the team, which I think reflects a lot of character. Derek is the other who we've had all over the place, rowing different sides and plugging where he's needed. His leadership and enthusiasm for this whole roster performing has set a personality for the whole group."
The first competition for the Mountain Hawks this spring will take place on Saturday, April 6 at nearby Lake Nockamixon in Quakertown. Lehigh is set to host Loyola Maryland, Fairfield and Iona on both the men's and women's sides for a series of races.
"It's three quality programs that are coming in, and not being surprised by that is part of the reason we put together the scrimmages that we did," said Costas. "We expect Fairfield, Iona and Loyola to come racing. It's going to be a really good test to see where we're at with those teams."
While results and outcomes are certainly something to keep an eye on, Costas says he's more concerned with seeing his team race with toughness and a sense of urgency.
"A perfect outcome from my vantage point is that we race seven boats and seven boats come out feeling like it was a complete effort and that they responded well under pressure," said Costas.
Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Women's Lineups
Women's 1v8+
 C – Julia McDougall
8 – Mina Petrovic
7 – Isabella Thompson-Carpenter
6 – Sophia Foster
5 – Catherine Hilow
4 – Jenna O'Dell
3 – Meghan Hastings
2 – Gabriella Pontoriero
1 – Franki Morrell
Â
Women's 2v8+
C – Ava Albano
8 -Â Katerina Bazarko
7 – Emma Litchfield
6 – Alexandria Nehme
5 – Jordan Roth
4 – Lydia Sheeser
3 – Adelaide Weir
2 – Madison Goldstein
1 – Lily Glenning
Women's Varsity 4+
C – Rylee Stancliffe
4 – Tess Koleno
3 – Grace Ioffe
2 – Sofia Bove
1 – Amaya Yarrish
Women's 2nd Varsity 4+
C – Eirinn Sikes
4 – Olivia Shafer
3 – Catherine Yazdanyar
2 – Reva Singh
1 – Emma Jovanovic
Men's Lineups
Â
Men's 1v8+
C – Schuyler JoergerÂ
8 – Evan McDonnell
7 – Drew Hetzer
6 – Zachary Wexler
5 – Baxter Reihman
4 – William Snider
3 – Colby Brogan
2 – Joseph Carruth
1 – Andrew Lundgren
Â
Men's 2v8+
C – Laney DonnellyÂ
8 – Sam Jones
7 – Patrick Flynn
6 – David Huang
5 – Alex Blaszkiewicz
4 – John Deutch
3 – Jack Wicke
2 – Derek Hammerstone
1 – Corbin Homan
Â
Men's 4+
C – Aidan Judge
4 – Zakei Shah
3 – Brandon Smeltz
2 – Luke Blum
1 – Ben Radoslovich
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
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/ Men's Rowing
/ Men's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
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/ Women's Rowing
/ Men's Rowing
/ Men's Rowing
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/ Men's Rowing
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/ Women's Rowing
/ Men's Rowing
/ Men's Rowing
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/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
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/ Men's Rowing
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/ Women's Rowing
Rowing Season Preview
Friday, March 28
Lehigh Sports Central: Rowing
Wednesday, April 24
