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Women's Rowing Rings The Bells In Celebration Of Island Challenge Cup Victory At Henley Royal Regatta

On October 19, the members of the Rutgers women's rowing program that captured the 2025 Island Cup Challenge at the Henley Royal Regatta in July assembled at Old Queens for one of the university's highest honors - the ringing of the bell. 

Rutgers began its extraordinary history as Queen's College, which was charted in 1766, the eighth institution of higher learning founded in the colonies. In 1825, the name of the college was changed to Rutgers. Its athletic teams have long competed in proud association with colonial Queen's College and "Old Queens" building traditions. The bell in the latter's cupola, an 1826 gift of namesake donor Colonel Henry Rutgers, along with tolling the change of classes, was, and still is, rung on special occasions, including those of prized athletic success. 

The Rutgers women's rowing team etched its name into the history books at the 2025 Henley Royal Regatta as the Scarlet Knights capped off their historic 50th season on the iconic River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, emerging victorious at the prestigious regatta by defeating Newcastle University in the final on July 6. 

Members of Rutgers women's rowing's Island Cup Challenge winning boat at the Henley Royal Regatta stand in front of Old Queens prior to the ringing of the ball
From Left To Right: Beatrice Colclough, Elli Arbogast, Louise Dinard, Mary Ciardiello, Olenka Moran, Maxine Prawl, Lauren Andersen and Ruby Hatfield, Kate Pitzel

Under the guidance of head coach Justin Price, the Rutgers 'A' crew - consisting of coxswain Maxine Prawl, Elli Arbogast, Kate Pitzel, Beatrice Colclough, Olenka Moran, Mary Ciardiello, Lauren Andersen, Ruby Hatfield and Louise Dinard outlasted 43 other entries in the Island Challenge Cup while winning five head-to-head races on the one-mile, 550-yard course on the River Thames.

Rutgers women's rowing head coach Justin Price addresses the crowd at Old Queens assembled to watch the Scarlet Knights ring the bell at Old Queens
“These are really, really special moments. This is a special tradition that we are honored to have the opportunity to participate in and add to the history, the legacy and the tradition of success here at this university, and certainly within our rowing program. This is the first time that we've had the opportunity as a rowing program to ring the bell. We want to make a habit of this. I am so incredibly proud of everybody in our program, and in particular, I'm incredibly proud of the nine women who are here today, including four of our graduated seniors, who I'm so thankful were able to come back to be part of this and celebrate such a historic, incredible achievement."
Head Coach Justin Price

The Scarlet Knights were also lauded by the New Jersey State Legislature with the following resolution:

JOINT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

By Senator Declan O'Scanlon, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberg and Assemblywoman Victoria A. Flynn

 

Whereas, The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey are pleased to honor and salute the Rutgers University women's rowing team, highly esteemed in the Garden State in recognition of its outstanding athletic accomplishments; and,

Whereas,  Demonstrating their extraordinary abilities and an unwavering commitment to excellence, the determined members of the Rutgers University women's rowing team etched their names in the history books by winning the Island Challenge Cup at the 2025 Henley Royal Regatta held on the iconic River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, England; and, 

Whereas, Under expert guidance of head coach Justin Prince, the Rutgers “A” crew, consisting of coxswain Maxine Prawl and rowers Elli Arbogast, Kate Pitzel, Beatrice Colclough, Olenka Moran, Mary Ciardiello, Lauren Andersen, Ruby Hatfield, and Louise Dinard, bested 43 other entries, emerged victorious in five head-to-head races, and set a new course record during the final against Newcastle University on July 6, 2025; and, 

Whereas,  The Scarlet Knights' “B” boat, consisting of coxswain Meghan Mangan and rowers Olivia Elliott, Vanessa Karayiannis, Jazmine Ingall, Ciara Butler, Femke de Witt, Julia Galesi, Emily Szopa and Sofia Ulinski, successfully qualified for the head-to-head races at the Henley Royal Regatta, defeating Edinburgh University by 4.5 lengths before losing a close race to Durham University, while earlier in the week, teammates Elizabeth Enriquez and Olivia Cook won the Spare Pairs Regatta; and,

Whereas, The Rutgers University Women's Rowing Team's incredible performance at the Henley Royal Regatta marked the culmination of a remarkable Fiftieth Anniversary season that saw rower Hannah Heideveld earn Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-America First Team honors, team members Victoria Grieder and Lily Wood secure spots on the Second Team, and Lauren Andersen garner an Honorable Mention, while the Rutgers Varsity 8 placed eighth in the national at the NCAA Champiohships and second in the Big Ten Conference Championships; and.

Whereas, Their talent and exceptional efforts in seeking and achieving rowing greatness have earned for the members of the Rutgers University Women's Rowing Team the admiration of this Legislature and the people of the State of New Jersey; now, therefore, 

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey;

That this Legislature hereby salutes the Rutgers Women's Rowing Team, pays tribute to its meritorious record of excellence and perseverance, and extends sincere best wishes for its continued success and vigor in all the years to come. 

 

Be it resolved that this legislature hereby salutes the Rutgers University women's rowing team. Pays tribute to its meritorious record of excellence and perseverance and extends sincere best wishes for its continued success and vigor in all the years to come.

Members of the Rutgers women's rowing Island Cup Challenge winning boat pose outside Old Queens with copies of the joint resolution from the New Jersey State legislature for their performance at the 2025 Henley Royal Regatta

The 2025 Island Cup Champion Scarlet Knights were also recognized as part of Homecoming festivities in front of a sold-out crowd of 53,127 at SHI Stadium as Rutgers football took on #8 Oregon.

Members of Rutgers women's rowing's Island Challenge Cup winning 8+ boat from the Henley Royal Regatta celebrated at the Rutgers Football game with Oregon

Rutgers women's rowing program celebrated its 50th varsity season in 2025 by placing eighth at the NCAA Championships, winning a program-record six medals as runner-up at the Big Ten Championships.  Four Scarlet Knights were named CRCA All-Americans, five earned All-Big Ten honors and two landed Big Ten All-Freshman accolades, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Additionally, four members of the squad competed for their home countries at the U23 World Championships.

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