NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University women's rowing team competed at the Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championships on Saturday, May 2 at Glen Island Lagoon, highlighted by a podium finish in the Varsity 8+ and strong efforts across multiple events.
The Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championships are named in honor of Br. Robert E. Novak, CFC, Ph.D. '72, a longtime faculty member and dedicated supporter of Iona rowing. A member of the Iona community for more than four decades, Br. Novak served as a professor of physics beginning in 1976 and later as department chair, while also acting as the rowing program's faculty moderator starting in 1980.
Established in 2012, the
Br. Robert E. Novak Endowed Rowing Scholarship continues to support members of Iona's men's and women's rowing teams. A distinguished scientist, Br. Novak conducted extensive research with NASA, including more than 20 trips to the Mauna Kea Observatory, and played a key role in the discovery of methane in Mars' atmosphere. His impact on generations of Iona students and student-athletes remains central to the tradition of this longstanding regatta hosted annually at Glen Island.
WOMEN'S VARSITY 4+
Iona advanced through its heat with a second-place finish, posting a time of 9:02.10 to secure a spot in the grand final. In the final, the Gaels placed sixth overall with a time of 9:00.49 against a competitive field led by Fordham (7:58.80).
The Varsity 4+ lineup featured senior coxswain
Jacqueline Ceja, freshman
Sofia Conry, freshman
Mackenzie Bond, freshman
Bridget Leonard, and sophomore
Kiara McGarty.
WOMEN'S JUNIOR VARSITY 8+
The Gaels earned a spot in the final after finishing second in their heat in 7:52.74. In the grand final, Iona recorded a fifth-place finish with a time of 8:27.06. Fordham A took the top spot in 7:29.20.
The boat included senior coxswain
Jacqueline Ceja,
Sofia Conry,
Mackenzie Bond,
Bridget Leonard, freshman
Sydney Kokiadis, freshman
Elliette Orellana,
Kiara McGarty, sophomore
Taylor Falconer, and freshman
Taylor Tedeschi.
WOMEN'S VARSITY 8+
Iona delivered one of its top performances of the regatta in the Varsity 8+ final, earning a third-place finish with a time of 7:18.25. The Gaels trailed only Fordham (7:08.50) and George Mason (7:15.84) in a tightly contested race.
The Varsity 8+ lineup featured freshman coxswain
Lily Frohnhoefer, sophomore
Alina Hosein, freshman
Averie Muller, junior
Tehya Mann, senior
Clare Robertsen, senior
Lorelei Teddy, sophomore
MaryGrace Gerger, freshman
Ciara Bice, and senior
Mackenna Agosti.
UP NEXT
Iona is back in action next weekend at the 2026 Dad Vail Regatta in Pennsauken, NJ on the Cooper River this Thursday through Saturday.
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