Women's Crew 4/18/2026 8:20:00 PM Tim LaDuca, Assistant Athletic Communications Director

Women's Crew Impresses at New York State Championships

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Union College women's crew team earned a spot in the Grand Finals at the New York State Championships Saturday morning against all Division-I teams while racing on the six-lane, buoyed course at Fish Creek.

Sophomore Lizzie Vandam (coxswain), junior Amy Gagliardi (4 seat), junior Emma Friedman (3 seat), senior Sadie White (2 seat), and junior Olivia Werkema (bow) won their heat of the Varsity 4+ race with a time of 8:27.45. With Vandam guiding her squad through the water, Union beat out four Division-I programs (Colgate University, SUNY Albany, Binghamton University, and Stony Brook University) for the top spot in the heat and a spot in the Grand Finals against Syracuse University, Marist College, Colgate, Long Island University, and Canisius University. Union raced against all Division-I teams in the Grand Final and placed third with a time of 9:08.466.

Senior Melina McGovern served as coxswain in the 2nd Varsity 4+ race for junior Sarah Hannan (4 seat), senior Nora Hillery (3 seat), first-year Jordan Long (2 seat), and junior Mariah Jackson (bow). The Garnet Chargers placed fourth (9:02.5) behind three Division-I crews.

Union's Frosh/Novice 4+ boat also earned a fourth-place finish in its race with sophomore Isabelle Canaveral as the coxswain along with first-year Patsy Whalen (4 seat), first-year Adelaide Dieden (3 seat), first-year Mahi Mattu (2 seat), first-year Ainsley Moore (bow).

After one week off, Union will be back in Saratoga Springs for the Liberty League Championships on Friday, May 1.

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Players Mentioned

Isabelle Canaveral: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Emma Friedman: 5' 8"; Junior

Amy Gagliardi: 5' 4"; Junior

Sarah Hannan: 5' 2"; Junior

Nora Hillery: 6' 0"; Senior

Mariah Jackson: 5' 5"; Junior

Melina McGovern: 5' 3"; Senior

Lizzie Vandam: 5' 4"; Sophomore

Olivia Werkema: 5' 7"; Junior

Sadie White: 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Isabelle Canaveral
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Emma Friedman
: 5' 8"; Junior

Amy Gagliardi
: 5' 4"; Junior

Sarah Hannan
: 5' 2"; Junior

Nora Hillery
: 6' 0"; Senior

Mariah Jackson
: 5' 5"; Junior

Melina McGovern
: 5' 3"; Senior

Lizzie Vandam
: 5' 4"; Sophomore

Olivia Werkema
: 5' 7"; Junior

Sadie White
: 5' 6"; Senior