ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell rowing programs welcomed over 100 alumni and parents to the Cayuga Inlet this past Saturday for the 150th running of the Schwartz Cup, the traditional Class Day race that has marked the unofficial start of fall training since its inaugural running in 1874 in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

The milestone event showcased the characteristic boathouse camaraderie that defines the annual event, as current varsity crews donned coordinated outfits while competing in a series of races in preparation for the fall portion of the 2025-26 season.

Varsity crews competed two 4.5-kilometer pieces before finishing with a 500-meter sprint, while alumni participants raced a five-kilometer race followed by their own 500-meter sprint.

The junior class dominated the heavyweight competition, posting a winning time of 33:37.5, defeating the second-place freshmen (34:22.7) by 45 seconds. The sophomores finished a close third at 34:25.4, with the seniors rounding out the field in 34:41.5.

Among the three lightweight crews, the seniors claimed victory by nearly a full minute with an overall time of 33:34.2. The sophomores finished second at 34:32.9, while the juniors placed third in 35:09.7.

The senior women edged out the juniors in a tight finish, clocking 39:40.5 to the juniors' 39:47.1. The sophomores took third place at 40:07.2, with the freshmen finishing fourth at 42:51.0.

The lightweight class of 2024 topped the alumni field with a time of 15:07.7, ahead of an assorted heavyweight alumni crew (15:26.9). The heavyweight classes of 2024 (15:38.7) and 2025 (16:18.3) completed the alumni entries.

Following the conclusion of racing and the presentation of trophies, the men's lightweight rowing bay was dedicated in honor of Raymond Randolph '69, a member of the 1968 varsity lightweight crew that finished as runner-up in the Henley Thames Challenge Cup at the Royal Henley Regatta. Randolph left a transformative, multi-million dollar bequest to Cornell men's lightweight rowing upon his passing in 2020.

RESULTS
Heavyweights: Juniors, Freshmen, Sophomores, Seniors
Lightweights: Seniors, Sophomores, Juniors
Women: Seniors, Sophomores, Juniors, Freshmen
Alumni: LWT Class of 2024, HWT Assorted, HWT Class of 2024, HWT Class of 2025

A LOOK UPSTREAM
All three Big Red rowing programs will officially open their 2025-26 seasons on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Detailed launch times and crew lists for all Cornell entries will be announced the week of the event.