The Fayetteville-Manlius Rowing team continued their strong spring campaign with an outstanding showing at the 2025 CHARGERS Junior Invitational on Saturday, May 17. The Hornets claimed four first-place finishes in a competitive field that featured crews from across the region.
FM Dominates in Key Events
The Girls Junior 8+ A boat continued their winning ways with a convincing victory, crossing the finish line at 5:31.75, nearly 12 seconds ahead of the host CHARGERS Rowing Club. This crew has been building momentum all season and showed their speed once again with a commanding performance. The FM B boat also competed well, securing third place with a time of 6:02.69, demonstrating the program's impressive depth.
Girls Junior 8+ winning their tune-up before Nationals
Minabelle Nolan, Quincey Hack, Surin Bong, Abbie Browning, Emily Batick, Grey Kim, Maggie Lindars, Maddie Davidson, Phoebe Giberman
The Boys Junior 4+ added another victory to FM's impressive day, finishing first with a time of 4:40.03, more than 6 seconds ahead of second-place McQuaid Jesuit Crew. Coxswain Aiden Glade directed the crew of Arthur Souza, John Prendergast, Ben Prendergast, and Andras Patent to a convincing win, continuing the Prendergast twins' tradition of excellence in FM's twin-powered boats. This strong performance demonstrated the depth of the boys' program and showcased promising talent in the ranks.
The Boys Senior 4+ delivered one of the day's most exciting performances, capturing first place with a time of 4:46.23, edging out Spackenkill Rowing Club by over 13 seconds. The crew of coxswain Daniel Summers guiding the Graff twins (Benjamin and Nicholas), Nolan Krukin, and Bennett Terchowitz continued their impressive run following their silver medal at the NYS Championships, proving their readiness for the upcoming national competition.
Boys Senior 4 on their way to victory
Nolan Krukin, Bennett Terchowitz, Nick Graff, Ben Graff, Daniel Summer
Double Gold Performances Highlight Team Adaptability
The Girls Junior 4+ A crew rounded out FM's first-place finishes with a dominant performance, posting a time of 4:34.89 and outpacing second-place Baldwinsville by nearly 7 seconds. Coxswain Elizabeth Feulner guided the crew of Quincey Hack (stroke), Sophie Johnson (2 seat), Domenica Scalzetti (3 seat), and Abbigale Browning (bow) to victory.
A new lineup, another victory for the Girls Junior 4+
Elizabeth Fuelner, Abbie Browing, Sophie Johnson, Domenica Scalzetti, Quincey Hack
Both Hack and Browning captured gold medals in both the Junior 8+ and Junior 4+ events, exemplifying the team-first attitude that is prevalent throughout the FM squad. While this specific Junior 4+ lineup won't compete at Nationals (as Hack and Browning will focus on the Junior 8+), their performance alongside Johnson, Scalzetti, and Feulner demonstrated the program's impressive depth and versatility.
Senior Rowers Deliver in Final Home Regatta
The Girls Senior 4+ showed their competitive spirit with a second-place result in the Petite Final, posting a time of 6:12.0. For seniors Ava Schrader, Ella DeParde, Anni Scuderi, and Elizabeth Kawa, along with coxswain Izze Christen, this regatta marked their final competitions representing FM.
Throughout their high school careers, these senior rowers have been instrumental in building and strengthening the FM program. Their leadership, dedication, and perseverance have set an example for the younger rowers and helped establish a culture of excellence that will continue long after their graduation. These seniors can look back with pride on their contributions to the team and the legacy they leave behind.
Girls Senior 4+ in their final row
Elizabeth Kawa, Anni Scuderi, Ella DeParde, Ava Schrader, Izze Christen
Strong Performances Across the Board
Beyond the victories, FM demonstrated remarkable consistency with several other strong finishes. The Girls Novice 8+ A boat earned a second-place finish with a time of 5:35.15, just behind Baldwinsville but well ahead of Liverpool.
The Boys 2v8+ put in a solid effort for second place with a 5:00.5 finish behind Liverpool, while the Boys Senior 8+ finished third with a time of 4:50.82, and the Boys Novice 8+ earned third place in their race with a time of 5:32.46.
Looking Ahead to Nationals
The regatta served as valuable preparation for the FM crews heading to the SRAA National Championships in Camden, NJ. The Boys Senior 4+, Girls Junior 4+, and Girls Junior 8+ performances were particularly encouraging, as all crews demonstrated the speed necessary to be competitive at the national level. Thei training appears to be paying off at just the right time, with multiple first-place finishes and strong performances across all events building confidence heading into the finale of the season.
Complete Results Summary for FM
First Place Finishes (4):
- Girls Junior 8+ A (5:31.75)
- Boys Senior 4+ (4:46.23)
- Boys Junior 4+ (4:40.03)
- Girls Junior 4+ A (4:34.89)
Second Place Finishes (3):
- Girls Frosh/Novice 8+ A (5:35.15)
- Boys 2nd 8+ (5:00.5)
- Girls Senior 4+ (6:12.0, Petite Final)
Third Place Finishes (3):
- Boys Senior 8+ (4:50.82)
- Girls Junior 8+ B (6:02.69)
- Boys Frosh/Novice 8+ A (5:32.46)
The FM rowing program continues to show why it's one of the strongest in the region, with competitive crews across all categories. As the national championships approach, the Hornets appear well-positioned to represent Fayetteville-Manlius with pride on rowing's biggest stage.
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