Toledo Rowing Competes in First Regatta in Program History

Toledo Rowing Competes in First Regatta in Program History

The Toledo Women's Rowing team competed in the Glass City Regatta on Saturday at International Park on the Maumee River in Downtown Toledo, marking a historic day for the newest Rockets' athletic program.

The regatta was a community event hosted by the Toledo Rowing Foundation that also included local and regional high school rowing teams, as well as club rowing teams and adult rowers. The wide variety of teams made for an exciting day of rowing that brought a large crowd of fans along the riverfront.

Toledo won each of the three events in which it participated: the open novice 8+ (18:52.81), the open 8+ (16:52.38), the open 4+ (11:54.40).

Head Coach Chris Bailey-Greene said he was encouraged by the support for his fledgling program.

"You've got all these different people who in some capacity have touched your program, and I think it's really special to be able to have those people come out for an event," Bailey-Greene said.

The regatta itself was structured for Toledo to race two novice 8+ boats, one open 8+ boat, and two open 4+ boats. The novice 8+ boats have eight rowers who are in their first year of rowing in college, whereas the two open-boat races are open for any collegiate level of experience.

The majority of Toledo's team had never rowed before coming to college, making the Glass City Regatta their first race ever. One of these novice rowers, freshman Hala Abul-Khoudoud from Russell, Kentucky, said Toledo's coaching staff has helped the team feel welcomed, despite their inexperience.

"I think they are making it so much easier on us, as if we're not strangers to rowing," Abul-Khoudoud said. "That's what I'm really enjoying about the sport, that everyone is making sure you're not feeling left out. Everyone is together and they're making you feel welcome, especially here at this first regatta,"

Bailey-Greene said it was gratifying to have Toledo's debut regatta occur on the Maumee River in front of the program's supporters.

"It's really special to see the community come out and say, we see you, we see the work you do," Bailey-Greene said. "We see the connection of the girls on your team, and we can't wait to see how it elevates and evolves over time."