Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's rowing team returned to the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Mass., this past weekend for the first time since 2007, participating in the world's largest three-day rowing event with five student-athletes for the Dukes, four of whom have never raced the course before. 
 
Duquesne arrived Friday morning, as senior coxswain Serena DeCosmo, senior Catie Duffner, juniors Cate Manclark and Jocelyn Tatarko and freshman Ava Gallegos launched in the afternoon for their first and only course practice. During their race run-through, the rowers acclimated to the river's sharp angles, six course bridges and heavy boat traffic. 
 
Saturday brought cold and breezy conditions, with temperatures around the mid 40s and a steady 10 to 15 mph breeze with gusts of up to 20 mph. The Dukes launched around Noon for their 1:04 p.m. head race style competition. 
 
Starting 28th in a 48-boat lineup, the Dukes Varsity 4+ beat crews from Stetson, UConn, Sacred Heart, Georgetown, Creighton, Lehigh and more. Duquesne recorded splits of 4:43.158 at Riverside, 11:14.408 at Weld, 16:38.973 at CBC and finished at 19:46.613. 
 
Overall, the rowers placed 16th out of 48, giving the Dukes an automatic bid back for next year's Head of The Charles Regatta, which will take place on October 22 through October 24, 2027. Duquesne finished seven seconds behind 10th place and 37 seconds behind first place, making it a close competition between all racing shells. 
 
QUOTABLE
"Finishing 16th out of 48 boats at the Head of the Charles is a result we're proud of, but what excites me the most is what it represents," said head coach Matt Carlsen. "This result was built in the ordinary moments at practice when teammates challenge each other, refuse to let each other settle and compete every single day. We talk a lot about being a team that races, and that starts long before we ever get to the starting line. The standard we bring to practice is what ultimately shows up on race day." 
 
UP NEXT
Duquesne continues its fall schedule with the Head of the Occoquan in Fairfax Station, Va., Saturday, Oct. 31. 
 
RESULTS
Women's Club 4+: 16th out of 48 (19:46.613)
 
LINEUP
Coxswain      Serena DeCosmo
Bow               Ava Gallegos
2                    Catie Duffner
3                   Jocelyn Tatarko
4                    Cate Manclark

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