Head of the Rock 2024

mtu enters new territory

Instead of missing classes on Friday, MTU rowers got up early Saturday morning to head down to Rockford, Illinois. After 6.5 hours, the team unloaded and rigged boats at the Rockford YMCA Boathouse. For the first time, we weren’t the only ones unloading our trailer the day before. We sent out multiple boats to practice and learn how to dock in the strong current of Rock River, since this is the first time MTU has raced at HOTR. Then after a team meeting, we went our seperate ways for dinner before hunkering down at our hotel.

race day

Because were one of 46 clubs attending plus thousands of spectators arriving, we headed out early to set up camp along the river. After a coxswain meeting regarding the monster tree (yes it was spray painted green with spikes and eyes on it) and the bridge tunnels we sent our first boat out.

Mens Team: Jayden was in the first race of the regatta, the Mens Open 1x. He fought against the wind hard and placed 9th. Then our Mens Novice 8+ hit the water in the Charlie placing 8th. Due to attendance and lack of time between each race, the men’s lineups switched up this past week putting a new four out onto the water this race; Eli, Brendan, Daniel, Aidan, and Elena (C.). They fought hard and placed 15th in a tight race. Jayden hit the water again this time with Jeffrey in the TAS placing an outstanding 7th. Then winds started to hit 30 mph and showed no signs of stopping, so the official of the regatta announced that all novice races were canceled for the rest of the day. So unfortunately the Mens Novice 4+ did not get to go out and race. But then to wrap up the MTU Men’s season, the Varsity 8+ in the Mitkey launched for the last time this season. Even with horrific head winds, the boys finished their season strong placing 13th.

Women’s Team: With races starting every 3 minutes, the women’s team could only get involved in 3 races. The first being the Women’s Collegiate 4+, in which the Dr. Jim was the only boat to race that held Emma K, Maggie, Fiona, Abi, and Emma W (C.). They ended up placing 17th out of 21 boats. Then before our novice women were supposed to launch, the call to cancel novice races due to winds was recieved making it so our novice women could not race this weekend. But although they didn’t race, they provided substantial amount of support for the entire team when launching and docking throughout the day. Then as the last race of the regatta and the entire MTU team, the Womens Collegiate 8+ launched. With a complete stop due to collision with MSOE, they still ended up placing 10th out of 16 boats.

Although placements may seem off, every boat we competed against is headed to the Head of the Charles (the largest 2-day regatta in the world) and are all varsity sports at their respective schools. It takes a lot to continue to compete against schools that recruit for their teams, but it’s what keeps us motivated and strong. From the first race to this last race, we all have improved and dropped time. And the novice’s who some never rowed before August, are now officially varsity members of the Rowing Club at Michigan Tech!

Thank you to all who supported us throughout this season, stay tuned for what happens next!

helpful links

Head of the Rock Results: CrewTimer Regatta Timing

Head of the Rock Photo Album: Head of the Rock 24 - Memento