While football, hockey, and basketball often take center stage at Boston College, some of the school’s lesser-known teams shine quietly in their domains. Sailing, tennis, and women’s rowing may not always grab headlines, but they have delivered impressive seasons. As spring competition heats up, these teams work incredibly hard while seemingly going unnoticed.
Boston College’s women’s rowing team holds a roster of around 55 athletes. Unlike many other collegiate sports, rowing has a significant walk-on component, with the team taking approximately ten new members each year who have never rowed before. These athletes develop quickly, training alongside many experienced rowers who have committed many years to the sport before college. Fresh off their spring break training in Clemson, South Carolina—where the ACC Championships are held—the Eagles are back on the Charles River, training out of the Harry Parker Boathouse at Community Rowing Inc. Part of the team competed in the Sunshine State Invitational in Sarasota, Florida this past weekend. BC’s second Varsity 4+ boat earned second place in the 2V4 Petite Final. Hopefully, this indicates strong potential for the remainder of the season. With some athletes earning recognition on national and conference watchlists, the program continues to gain momentum as it pushes toward the end of the season.
BC Sailing has been making waves this spring, both literally and figuratively. With 32 athletes on the roster—including a large and talented freshman class of ten—the team has been back on the water since their spring break training trip. They have been sharpening their skills for an intense spring schedule while practicing out of Savin Hill Yacht Club.
Most recently, BC claimed victory at the Marchiando Red Regatta at MIT, a major event that showcased their depth and capabilities. Spring racing is uniquely difficult, as the program has to train for both team racing—three boats from each school compete head-to-head—and fleet racing, which involves one boat from each school in a larger fleet. This weekend, BC will compete at three different regattas hosted by Harvard, Tufts, and UConn.
While rowing and sailing battle the elements, BC’s men’s and women’s tennis programs have been steadily building a reputation in one of the toughest conferences in the country. The ACC is home to some of the nation’s top-ranked teams, meaning every match is a challenge. Both teams have been battling through the spring season, competing against top-ranked programs while looking to pick up wins. The women’s team, in particular, has had strong individual performances and aims to finish the season on a high note as they approach the ACC Tournament. On the men’s side, BC continues to develop depth and experience.
Though they may not always receive the same level of attention as BC’s most popular sports, the rowing, sailing, and tennis teams are filled with athletes putting in just as much effort, discipline, and dedication. As the spring season progresses, these teams show that they deserve recognition for their impressive performances and the pride they bring to BC athletics.
Summers in the Newton Woods; advocate for the State of Washington.
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