BOSTON – The Cornell men's heavyweight rowing team hit the water for the first time of the 2019-20 season at the 55th Head of the Charles Regatta on Sunday on the Charles River in Boston.

The Big Red sent two boats to compete, fielding both a men's championship four and men's championship eight. Coxed by Jacob Shusko, the men's championship four of Bret Bay, Isaac Murphy, Jackson Hardin, and Drew Serven finished 10th among 15 boats with a time of 16:23.940. Out of the 10 collegiate squads in the race, the Big Red placed eighth.

Cornell's men's championship eight boat had a solid race, recording a time that was over a minute faster than what the Big Red posted at the 54th Head of the Charles Regatta last season. Coxed by Tommy Brittingham, the boat of Carl Pracey, Jackson Stone, Nick Horbowy, Jordan Broihier, James Aimer, Maxwell Kreutzelman, Adam Campain, and Chris Wilkins crossed the finish line in 14:54.468. The time marked significant improvement from 2018, when Cornell's men's championship eight boat completed the race in 15:57.748.

"With such a young boat, today was great experience for us moving forward. The results weren't what we were hoping for, but it will allow us to figure out what base speed we need to achieve in order to improve as the season progresses," said Todd Kennett, the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing. "It is very important that we remain optimistic and focus on taking things one day at a time as we strive to become better."

The Cornell men's heavyweight rowing team will be back in action in two weeks when it hosts the Cornell Autumn Classic on Saturday, Nov. 2 on Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, N.Y.

Boatings

Men's Championship Four
4: Drew Serven
3: Jackson Hardin
2: Isaac Murphy
1: Bret Bay
c: Jacob Shusko

Men's Championship Eight
8: Chris Wilkins
7: Adam Campain
6: Maxwell Kreutzelman
5: James Aimer
4: Jordan Broihier
3: Nick Horbowy
2: Jackson Stone
1: Carl Pracey
c: Tommy Brittingham