The winning Girls Junior 8+ crew celebrates their victory at Onondaga Lake Park (from left to right): Minabelle Nolan (1), Sadye Gitner (2), Quincey Hack (3), Abbigale Browning (4), Emily Batick (5), Grey Kim (6), Maggie Lindars (7), Madeline Davidson (8), and Phoebe Giberman (C). Photo credit: Emily Batick.
By FM Rowing Club
In a rain-soaked day of competition at Onondaga Lake Park on May 3, 2025, Fayetteville-Manlius Rowing demonstrated remarkable prowess with two impressive victories and a dramitic second place finsh, setting a positive tone as the team heads into next weekend's NYS High School State Championships in Saratoga.
Girls Junior 8+ Dominates the Waters
The FM Girls Junior 8+ crew delivered a standout performance, claiming first place with a commanding time of 5:57.6. The winning boat, powered by Madeline Davidson (stroke), Maggie Lindars, Grey Kim, Emily Batick, Abbigale Browning, Quincey Hack, Sadye Gitner, and Minabelle Nolan (bow), with Phoebe Giberman as coxswain, showed tremendous skill and determination throughout the race.
"This was definitely a challenging week in practice with great competition from our junior 2V8+," said Quincey Hack, reflecting on their preparation. "Coach Cusano pulled us aside earlier in the week and really inspired us to be more aggressive on the water. After we finished, everyone in the boat was just hoping we made coach proud with how we raced."
The winning Girls Junior 8+ pulls away during their 1500m sprint. (from bottom to top): Phoebe Giberman (C), Madeline Davidson (8), Maggie Lindars (7), Grey Kim (6), Emily Batick (5), Abbigale Browning (4), Quincey Hack (3), Sadye Gitner (2), and Minabelle Nolan (1). The team's hard work and Coach Cusano's inspiration paid off with a commanding victory. Photo credit: Seth Gitner
Heart-Stopping Finish in Boys Senior 4+
Though not a victory, the Boys Senior 4+ race provided perhaps the most dramatic moment of the day. The FM crew of coxswain Dan Summers directing twins Benjamin and Nicholas Graff, along with Bennett Terchowitz and Nolan Krukin, finished just 0.03 seconds behind Cascadilla, with times of 5:22.21 and 5:22.18 respectively.
The two boats were neck and neck throughout the entire 1500-meter course, trading the lead multiple times in a thrilling display of competitive rowing. As they approached the finish line, both crews unleashed powerful sprint finishes, and in a finish that had spectators holding their breath, Cascadilla edged out FM by a margin so narrow it could be measured in mere inches—barely the length of a blade tip.
Boys Junior 4+ Secures Victory to Close the Day
The FM Boys Junior 4+ wrapped up the day with a decisive win, crossing the finish line with a time of 5:55.6, nearly 13 seconds ahead of Liverpool. The winning crew consisted of coxswain Aiden Glade guiding twins John and Ben Prendergast, alongside Arthur Souza and Andras Patent.
As first year varisty rowers, their strong technical rowing and teamwork helped secure this important victory, adding to FM's impressive showing throughout the regatta.
A Day of Inspiration
The day began on a meaningful note with a boat dedication ceremony for the new senior 4+, named in honor of World Champion and FM alumna Dana Moffat, class of 2015. Moffat, who went on from FM to row at Cal Berkeley and later with the US National Team, spoke to the current rowers about her journey.
Her gold medal-winning performance with the Women's 8+ at the 2018 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria served as a powerful reminder of the heights that can be reached from the foundations built at FM. The dedication ceremony and Moffat's inspired talk provided an emotional boost to all the rowers before they hit the water.
Looking Ahead to States
With these strong performances behind them, the FM rowing team now turns its attention to the NYS High School State Championships in Saratoga next weekend. The boys will compete on Saturday, May 10, while the girls will race on Sunday, May 11—Mother's Day.
The combination of recent victories, near-wins, strong races, and the inspiration from our alumna has the team entering the championship weekend with momentum and confidence.
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