It has been a spirited fall for Megunticook Rowing, as both juniors and masters turned heads across New England during three consecutive weeks of racing. From the Textile River Regatta in Lowell to the New Hampshire Championships in Pembroke, and finally the legendary Head of the Charles in Cambridge, the “Loonies” showcased strength, teamwork, and the true joy of rowing.
Juniors Dominate Back-to-Back Regattas
Megunticook’s juniors opened the month with powerful performances at the 46th Annual Textile River Regatta on October 5. Racing down 4,500 meters of the Merrimack River among more than 600 competitors, the team delivered impressive results:
• Women’s Jr. Double – Laura Riordan and Tucker Beynart, 2nd place, forty-five seconds ahead of third.
• Women’s Jr. Double Under 17 – Lucy Morgenstern and Grace Doolen, 3rd place, thirteen seconds clear of fourth.
• Men’s Jr. Single – Jake Roux, 5th place, twenty seconds ahead of the next finisher.
Just one week later, the juniors traveled to Pembroke, New Hampshire, for the George Dirth Memorial Regatta, the region’s largest event north of Boston. Hosted by Amoskeag Rowing Club, the three-mile race drew nearly 400 boats and more than 2,000 athletes. Facing breezy, crisp conditions, Megunticook’s crews raced with polish and persistence:
• Women’s Jr. Double – Riordan and Beynart, 1st place.
• Women’s Jr. Double – Doolen and Morgenstern, 2nd place.
• Men’s Jr. Single – Roux, 6th place, nearly ten seconds ahead of the next finisher.
• Women’s Jr. Quad – Riordan, Beynart, Doolen, and Morgenstern, 2nd place.
Head Coach Bob van Twyver commended the group, noting, “Racing back-to-back weekends at this level shows not only athletic strength, but also maturity and commitment to teamwork—qualities we’re proud to see developing in all Megunticook Rowing athletes.”
Masters and Juniors Shine on the Charles
From October 17–19, the team brought its momentum to Boston for the 60th running of the Head of the Charles Regatta. Megunticook proudly lived up to its reputation as “the loudest little club on the Charles.”
Among the standout performances, Cathy Kemper of the San Diego Rowing Club, who trains with the Loonies all summer and recently celebrated her 80th birthday, won gold in her single—an inspiring moment for all. On Saturday, Will Schaetzke raced his first Men’s Masters and Senior Masters Singles (30+, 40+) event, placing 32nd out of 42. Cabot Adams then took on the elite Men’s Championship Singles, finishing 19th against former Olympians. The Lucky Loonie Mixed Quad of Meredith Currier, Will Schaetzke, Amy Dyer, and Hugh Brock rowed with intensity to 16th place among 30 boats.
On Sunday, Polly Saltonstall and Stephanie Lash teamed up in the Director’s Challenge Women’s Quad with two of Polly’s college buddies, narrowing their time gap to the leaders despite choppy conditions. The finale was the Directors’ Challenge Mixed Eight, the very last race of the entire competition. This crew embodies the Megunticook spirit, combining Masters (Mark McAllister), Grand Masters (Amy Mitchell, Marnie Read, Leslie Forand), Juniors (Jake Roux, Robert Wickenden, Grace Doolen), and decorated champion Cabot Adams. The crew was coxed by Kali Brown, one of Megunticook Rowing’s summer coaches.
Wickenden, who rows with the program in the summer, traveled from Deerfield Academy to fill seven seat. Roux and Doolen, both of Megunticook Rowing’s high school program, were in seat five and two respectively. For Mitchell (4) and Read (bow), it was their first time racing in an eight, so plenty of nerves accompanied the excitement. 3-seat Leslie Forand and 5-seat Mark McAllister rounded out the crew with Cabot Adams stroking in a borrowed Bates College shell, the group finished 10th in raw time and 17th overall.
Reflecting on the team’s effort, van Twyver said, “I could not be happier with the results from everyone on this team. They all committed and did the work—and it paid off. We’ll be back next year.”
Megunticook’s presence extended beyond its own entries: former board president John Romain served as starting-line announcer, while alumni Maggie Gill (Bates College), Flora Gurdon (Trinity College), and Alley Johnson (Trinity alumna) also represented proudly on the Charles.
From novice juniors to seasoned masters, Megunticook Rowing closed October with heart, speed, and the unmistakable sound of Camden’s pride echoing across New England’s waters.