ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell rowing program celebrated its 150th anniversary this past weekend during the team's alumni celebration and Schwartz Cup races. The intra-squad competition has a focus on both competition and fun, with each division of Big Red rowing hosting four class boats. The current rowers were joined by two alumni boats out on the water. The races were far from the biggest competition of the day, as all boats were welcomed to compete in the annual costume contest.
 
"On the day we are celebrating 150 years of rowing at Cornell, 125 years for women, and 100 years for LWT Men, we also are racing the fall class day race that is known as the Schwartz Cup," said the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing and Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing, Todd Kennett. "Dick and Jean Schwartz who are huge supporters of our program, have named the cup forever. The crews have raced every fall since 1874, and this weekend was no different. This race helps to encourage the competitive nature to progress into the athletes as we enter the beginning of the fall race season."
 
The boats competed in a 5k race that took the boats out to Lake Cayuga and back to the boathouse, and a 50- meter sprint where the boats raced head-to-head. The men's heavyweight senior boat won their division with the fastest times of all boats throughout the day. Men's lightweight senior boat won the bragging rights from the lightweight races, and the women's junior boat won the women's division.
 
The 2022 costume competition did not disappoint, offering looks from a 90's music video, cows and the farmer, mermaids, and fireman. However, the day was won by the heavyweight juniors, whose rendition of the late Queen of England and her royal guard stole the show.


 
"The atmosphere was amazing as we had well over 500 people spectating, we had 16 boats in the race, with two senior classes and one junior class coming away with victories," Kennett said. "A special thank you goes out to both Carl Schwarz '57 and the class of '67 lightweight crew who had won it all and came out to race this weekend. In addition, a thank you goes out to all those that could not make it but had positive thoughts and have helped to support the program and make the tradition even stronger!"

On The Horizon

• All three Big Red rowing programs will get their first taste of 2023 inter-squad competition on Sunday, October 23 with a race day at the Head of the Charles in Boston, Massachusetts.