SHELTON, Conn. — 

The United States Coast Guard Academy women's rowing team kicked off their 2026 fall racing season on Saturday at the Head of the Housatonic regatta. The Bears had three eights competing in the non-Division I event and two fours in the afternoon races.

Leading the way by finishing in 3rd-place for the non-D1 race was the Bears' 1V8, coxed by freshman Maggie Sipala (Weathersfield, Conn.) and featuring junior Laine Emanatian (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) at stroke. Coast Guard's A-boat cross the finish line in 16:26.9, while the B-boat would follow later on at 17:31.8 for 7th. Coast Guard C would post a time of 19:16.3 for 11th, while Wesleyan University crossed in 15:47.9 to take gold. Bears B was coxed by senior Alexa Hartley (Vienna, Va.) with Piper Garrett (Colorado Springs, Colo.) at stroke, while the C-boat had junior Maya Blair (Apex, N.C.) coxing and freshman Cameron Vroman (Norwell, Mass.) in the eight-seat.

Afternoon racing saw Coast Guard take 7th and 16th in the Open Fours event. Blair coxed the A-boat with Emanatian in the four-spot as the group crossed in 18:07.8, while the B-boat clocked in a 20:24.9 with junior Katelyn Harvey (East Haddam, Conn.) at coxswain and Garrett at four. Fairfield University were the victors of the afternoon race thanks to their 17:31.2 pace. Fairfield University won the event in a time of 17:31.2.

Full results for the Head of the Housatonic regatta can be viewed here. Coast Guard women's rowing is set to continue their fall racing slate at the Head of the Charles Regatta this upcoming weekend in Boston and Cambridge.