Pennsauken, NJ – The Sacred Heart University women's rowing team finished fifth overall at the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship on Sunday afternoon at the Cooper River Park. 

The Pioneers had a strong showing in the prelims, finishing first overall in the top spot in two heats, and were second in one heat. 

In the finals, the Sacred Heart 1V4 of Sydney Kaiser (Cox), Olivia Nguyen (4), Sydney Marcy (3), Caitlyn Bergman (2), and Olivia Caione (1) took home first overall in the event with a final time of 7:34.859, setting a MAAC championship record for the 1V4 category. The conditions were tough with 30+ mph gusts and choppy water, but the boat managed the pressure well and put together a heroic sprint to seal the gold medal. 

The 2V4 of Ava Del Greco (Cox), Gabrielle Gottschall (4), Ava Ciauro (3), Olivia Kowalski (2), and Sofia Fisher (1) also finished first overall in their race, with a 07:50.838 time, also setting a MAAC championship record for the 2V4 category. They dealt with the same harsh conditions, but held the lead from start to finish and won with a dominating open-water margin.

"I am beyond proud of the work both of the fours put in to earn these historic results," said Assistant Coach Dawson Shyne-Appignani about the pair of V4 boats. "Despite obstacles around every corner, they overcome and carried the mantle of championship aspirations as well as any young team could. With almost every athlete returning next year, I see a bright future at SHU for many championship races to come."

Sacred Heart finished fourth in the 2V8 with Sophia Bittar (Cox), Emily Jenkins (8), Rose Kelly (7), Giovanna Ponte (6), Elizabeth Russell (5), Lily Holt (4), Mia Purcell (3), Yelanni Diaz (2), and Trinity Savage (1) as the boat finished at 07:03.481.

In the grand finale, the Pioneers 1V8 of Mia Bottone (Cox), Selena Hescock (8), Jane Kurkowski (7), Olivia Chasse (6), Ava Manzo (5), Kadence Faucher (4), Samantha Keith (3), Susan Munley (2), and Doria Lukasik-Drescher (1), finished fifth with a time of 06:49.357. 

After the races, the conference announced the All-MAAC teams. Manzo was named to the first team and Chasse was selected to the second team.