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Oct. 4 marked the 30th annual Textile River Regatta Race, the longest single-day regatta of the season in the United States. Throughout the day, 510 boats competed in 55 sculling and sweep rowing events, including the UMass Lowell men’s and women’s rowing teams.
Women’s Captain Katrina Walther took part in the Women’s Open “sweep” style four-person boat and, at the same time, encouraged her fellow rowers on the Merrimack River. “I love the sport and the integrity of it; it’s probably the hardest workout a person could take part in. It has made me a better person and I feel that I have grown so much,” she says.
Walther is now in her fourth season; it was her third time helping to host the event, which is led by the Merrimack River Rowing Association. The UMass Lowell women’s team consists of about 40 people and practices are daily at 5:30 a.m.
“We get a great deal accomplished so early, I just feel like I’m ready for the day ahead of me,” Walther says. The women’s rowing coach is Veronika Platzer, who led the University of Virginia “women’s four” to the 2004 NCAA Championship.
“She’s a brilliant coach and so well-known. We’re just lucky to have her; there is no doubt that we wouldn’t have made it this far without her,” Walther says.
