East Hartford, Conn. - The Trinity College women's rowing team entered three boats in the Open 8 race, as the Bantams opened the 2021-22 season with the Head of the Riverfront Regatta on the Connecticut River this morning.  The fastest Trinity crews finished seventh among a field of 24 collegiate boats with a time of 16:21.64.  Two other Trinity crews posted times of 18:37.47 and 19:10.02, respectively.  Trinity will compete next in the Head of the Housatonic Regatta in Derby, Conn. on Saturday.

On Saturday, Trinity women's rowing celebrated the program and christened six boats named after individuals who have had a profound impact on the legacy of Trinity Women's Rowing.  The following boats will be named:

Lou O'Brien Berl '88
 
Lou O'Brien, Class of '88 and captain, returned to Trinity as head coach in 2002 after posting undefeated seasons at both UVA and Ohio State. Lou led the Trinity Women to their first-ever NCAA championship regatta and the New England Rowing Championship team title with both the varsity and second varsity eights finishing first. Lou later went on to coach the Harvard-Radcliffe lightweight women, who won the IRA National Championship earning her the title CRCA Coach of the Year. Her years rowing at Trinity were pivotal under the leadership and guidance of Stacey and Bert Apfelbaum, as well as Norm Graf.

Christine Collins '91
 
Christine Collins, Class of '91, is the first female Trinity graduate to compete in the Olympic Games. After rowing under Meg Picotte MacClarence ('86) as a freshman and Norm Graf from '88 to '91, Christine won four World Championship titles and earned a Bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 in the women's lightweight double sculls.



The Spirit of '05, the first Trinity women's varsity eight to win the National Championship

The Spirit of '08, the second Trinity women's varsity eight to win the National Championship

The Spirit of '14, the first and only year the Trinity women won the team NCAA Championship

The Spirit of '15, the third Trinity women's varsity eight to win the National Championship