Head of the Des Moines 2024

In the middle of corn fields, mtu races

Arriving to Easter Lake in Des Moines, Iowa where the short 2k course is set up we walked into new territory. As a fall racing team, we train throughout the year for distance races (4-6k) but due to flooding this 5k race turned into 2k. Not only did distance change from our normal, but launching our boats caused us to learn quickly on the spot. From launching off a dock in Houghton, we had to wet launch (walk in the water, and get into the boat while in the water yourself). But nobody fell in and by race time we all looked like we knew what we were doing.

race day

Men’s Team: Our varsity boys started the day off strong at 9:40am racing against 6 other teams in their open 4+. Then we got both novice mens 8+s out to race, they would have both taken home gold and silver medals but due to lack of races both all male boats got placed in a mixed boat race and therefor were XHB. Our very own Jayden Chow took the ground running racing in a single for the first time against 7 other men’s open rowers. Our varsity men hit the water again in their 8+, and in just over 8 minutes they took home silver! Jeffrey joined Jayden out in a double, Jeffrey’s first time racing in a double and raced against 8 other double partners. Our novice men’s finished out the boys in their 4+s, with those in the Lorenzetti taking home the gold.

Women’s Team: After seeing 4 of the men’s races, helping with launching, cheering, and docking it was time for our novice women 8+ to hit the water. With a time of 9:35 they took second place and took home some silver hardware! Our varsity women followed their race in their 4+s. Taking gold home was the Lorenzetti rowers and the Kurtz rowers followed in closely taking third. After racing against each other, the varsity women got together to pull their own in the mixed open 8+ race. Due to the race they were put in, this all female boat went up against boats with 50% males sitting in them. But not to worry, as the last race for MTU they held their own and placed first by over 30 seconds.

helpful links

Head of the Des Moines Photo Album: Head of the Des Moines - Memento

Head of the Des Moines Results: HereNOW