The Boston University lightweight rowing team began its 2026 spring season on March 21 by racing three crews against Boston College’s openweight program on the Charles River. The Terriers secured a victory in the Varsity 8 event, allowing them to retain the annual Gummy Bear Bowl trophy.
The competition took place under overcast skies with minimal wind and temperatures in the low- to mid-40s. The Varsity 8 race, coxed by Mira Saldanha and stroked by Caroline Burchette, was closely contested for most of the 2,000-meter course. In the final stretch, Boston University pulled ahead to finish in 7:07.5, three seats ahead of Boston College’s time of 7:09.7. This marked BU’s third consecutive win in this event.
In the Second Varsity 8 race, coxed by Amna Rezvi and stroked by Mia Seibert, BU competed against two Boston College boats. The Terriers challenged Boston College’s second varsity crew but ultimately finished six seats behind with a time of 7:04.0—over nine seconds ahead of BC’s third varsity boat.
The morning concluded with the Varsity 4 race, where BU’s crew placed second among four boats with a time of 7:59.8. Boston College’s top V4 finished one length ahead at 7:57.4.
Boston University’s lightweight rowing team will take a break from competition before facing MIT’s openweight crews on April 4.
