After a successful spring, Haverford’s Crew Program concluded its 2026 season by sending twelve athletes in three boats to SRAA National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, including the Varsity Four, the Junior Varsity Four, and the Junior Varsity Quad.
The Junior Varsity Four was the only Haverford boat to reach the grand final, with a 6th place finish. The Varsity Four reached the second final but did not make it to the grand final. The Junior Varsity Quad did not make it past the semi-final round.
The journey to Tennessee came on the tailwind of wins during May. At the Philadelphia City Championships, Haverford swept the podium across almost every event, taking home four golds, one silver, and two bronzes. Most notably, the Varsity Four claimed the championship trophy for the third consecutive year. Junior Varsity Four rower and Fifth Former Jake Barton said the strong City’s position was expected for the work they put in this year.
“Every boat knew they could win,” Barton said. “We put in a lot of work this year for this event.”
At Stotesbury, the largest high school regatta in the country, the Junior Four got bronze and the Junior Varsity Quad silver. The Varsity Four, who won Stotesbury last year, reached the final but went home with 5th place.
“The team is young, and I think we’ve accomplished a lot despite not having a senior on varsity.”
BENAS ANTANAVICIUS ’27
Varsity captain and Fifth Former Benas Antanavicius looks at the season through a broader scope.
“The team is young, and I think we’ve accomplished a lot despite not having a senior on varsity,” Antanavicius said. “I’m excited to see what we can bring next year, when other teams have plenty of people graduating, and we have everyone returning.”
With only three Sixth Formers leaving next year, Haverford Crew approaches the offseason with unfinished business and an experienced team that has seen championship water.
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