By Maria Akaras
Sports Editor
The Shorewomen are on a strong path to overcoming these challenges, and the leadership of their team is prepared to guide the way.
The 2025-26 season was full of success for Washington College’s rowing program. Both the men’s and women’s teams made it to the All-Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference, also known as MARC, championships, and both teams had impressive finishes.
The Shorewomen achieved a sixth place finish in the Second Varsity Eight final as well as sixth place in the First Varsity Eight final. Junior Kelsey Sanderell competed in the singles race and achieved a second place finish.
“I’m really proud of how competitive we were—we had a great season and beat several teams in our division. It showed what we’re capable of, and it makes me even more excited to see how much further we can take it this upcoming season,” senior Molly Brooks said.
Three Shorewomen received All-Marc Honors. Senior Kyaran Balin-Brooks achieved a first team spot and Senior Maura Collins received second team honors. Freshman Elizabeth Clayton earned All-Novice recognition. Many Shorewomen also received academic honors.
The Shoremen also had a successful appearance at the MARC Championships, winning third place overall in the Varsity Eight competition. Freshman Ahmed Andrews participated in the singles race and claimed first place in the competition.
The men ended their season at the Dad Vail Regatta, finding success in the Freshman Varsity Eight, Varsity Two, and Varsity Singles races. The freshman team won silver, the highest finish at the Dad Vail Regatta in program history. Andrews and freshman Andrew Montero competed individually, achieving first and third in their respective heats.
Freshman Grayson Bishop achieved a spot on the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association 2026 Athlete Watchlist, one of only 12 Division III rowers to make the list. Bishop accomplished an impressive first season, breaking a team record for the fastest 2k erg time at 6:19.3 minutes. Bishop also received MARC honors, earning a spot on the second team, as well as All-Marc Varsity honors.
Senior Andrew Ellestad and junior Mary Clymer earned spots on the MARC All-Academic Team. Freshman Whitman Stout achieved a place on the All Novice MARC Team. The Shoremen hope to continue adding to these achievements.
The Shorewomen have many new teammates this season, and they are excited to bring them into their family.
“Our dynamic is incredibly strong, and welcoming so many new faces this year brings great energy to the team,” Brooks said. Because we support one another so well, we’re able to push each other in practice and build the trust we need to perform at our best when competition time comes.”
Both the Shoreman and the Shorewomen are hoping to repeat the successes of last year as their 2026-27 seasons begin.
In the women’s first regatta last season at the Occoquan Challenge, the team achieved first in the 8d Women’s Champ 4x race and third in the 4f Women’s Champ 2x race. They will return to the Occoquan Challenge for their first regatta this season, where they hope to apply the lessons they learned last year to achieve even quicker races.
“Last season showed me the direct connection between putting in the work and seeing results on the water. I learned how much progress comes from building strength and speed over time, and I want to carry that focus into this season so we’re fully prepared for our upcoming competitions,” Brooks said.
The Shoremen will open their season at the Head of The Charles regatta in Boston MA, one of the biggest rowing competitions nationally. Last year at Head of The Charles, the Club Four team placed 37th and the Collegiate Four Team placed 30th.
This season, the men’s team hope to improve their performances.
“I think we’re going to do very good this year,” sophomore Lawrence Haleski said.
“We’re going to do great and have a great performance on Head of the Charles. We’ll break the leaderboards and win all the regattas we can.”
The women’s first regatta is on Oct. 4 at the Occoquan Challenge. The men first compete Oct. 18 at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Mass.
Photo Caption: WC Women’s rowing team racing at the All-Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference, pushing themselves towards their sixth place finish.
Photo courtesy of WC Athletics