SCOTIA, N.Y. – The Union College women's crew team opened its fall season at the 2025 Mohawk Fall Classic Regatta on Sunday afternoon.

It was a beautiful, sunny day for racing on the calm waters of the Mohawk River. The 3,700-meter course led boats past Union's home boathouse.

The women's varsity 4+ boat was the first to hit the water for Union and finished fourth in the 10-boat race. With sophomore Lizzie Vandam as the coxswain, the Garnet Chargers posted a time of 16:21.57. Vandam was joined by junior Olivia Werkema (bow), senior Sadie White (2 seat), junior Emma Friedman (3 seat), and junior Amy Gagliardi (stroke).

The Union varsity 8+ boat faced slightly windier conditions when it took off roughly 90 minutes after the Varsity 4+ race. The Garnet Chargers finished seventh with a time of 17:04.60. Senior Melina McGovern led a boat of junior Mariah Jackson (bow), first-year Mahi Mattu (2 seat), first-year Adelaide Dieden (3 seat), Gagliardi (4 seat), Werkema (5 seat), first-year Jordan Long (6 seat), first-year Ainsley Moore (7 seat), and junior Sarah Hannan (8 seat) in the nine-team race.

The Garnet Chargers are scheduled to travel west to Rochester, N.Y. for their next regatta on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Head of the Genesee.