Head of the Des Moines 2025

Exploring New Waters

Returning to Des Moines for the second year, MTU was still in for a new experience. The head race returned to it’s traditional location with a ~4K race, so yet again the course was new to all MTU rowers. Practice Friday afternoon got our rowers out on the course, giving them an opportunity to learn how to take the intense turns that the course is known for. No one flipped and the team was ready to go for Saturday.

race day

Michigan Tech did not come to play on race day. Leaving Des Moines with 65 medals from 12 races, the crew set off well for regatta season.

Men’s Team: The varsity men started us off well, sending out three boats in the 4+ race, all three finishing within a minute of each other (3rd, 4th and 5th places). Docking was quick and our coxswains hopped out to hot seat into their next boats. Then a few of our novice men went out in a mixed 8+, working hard with the women they secured gold in their first collegiate race! Our varsity men continued on into their 8+, taking home gold and silver. We also had two varsity men out to compete in the 1x race, bringing home yet another medal. To wrap up the day, our two novice men’s 4+ boats went hard placing second and third.

Women’s Team: Not to let the men’s team show them up, the women went out strong. Our novice women were the first on the water, in the mixed 8+ that took first. Following right behind them was our varsity 8+ who also took first place, beating a D1 team in the process. Jumping right from the 8+ to the 4+ race, the varsity women yet again put out all they had, placing first and second. Then we had a novice woman compete in the single sculling race, taking 3rd place! With another unique race for the MTU crew, we sent out a varsity mixed double that placed first.

helpful links

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

Head of the Des Moines Results: HereNOW