Historic Results for GFS Crew at the 99th Stotesbury Cup Regatta

The 99th running of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta once again transformed Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River into the center of the scholastic rowing world. Widely regarded as the largest high school regatta in the world, Stotesbury annually welcomes more than 5,000 athletes representing over 180 schools from across the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1927, the regatta has become one of the sport’s most prestigious traditions—a place where history, pressure, and opportunity all meet on the water.

This year, Germantown Friends School Crew rose to the occasion in historic fashion. Competing against some of the nation’s top programs, the Tigers delivered one of the strongest Stotesbury performances in school history, bringing home four medals and adding another milestone to the proud tradition of GFS rowing.

The highlight of the weekend came in the Boys Junior 4x, where Quin Yannella ’27, Zeke Hammarhead ’27, Ryan Chi ’28, and Alden Dunleavy ’27 surged to a first-place finish and captured just the second Stotesbury championship ever won by the GFS Crew program.

On a course where fractions of seconds can determine outcomes and where the pressure of the moment is impossible to ignore, the crew raced with confidence, composure, and determination from start to finish. Their gold medal performance secured a place in program history and reflected the countless hours of preparation invested throughout the season.

The Girls Junior 4x also delivered an outstanding performance, earning silver medals against one of the deepest fields in the country. Ivy Schaenen ’28, Katalin Mardeusz ’27, Josie Hong-Goranin ’27, and Leela Rajagopalan ’28 raced with poise and determination throughout the regatta, continuing a season defined by growth, connection, and consistency. Their runner-up finish added another major accomplishment to an already memorable weekend for the Tigers.

Additional success came from the Tigers’ lightweight boats. Sylvia Kim ’26 and Evalina Heep ’27 (above) captured silver in the Girls Varsity Lightweight 2x with a composed and technically sharp performance against elite competition.

On the boys side, Thomas Chenyue Peng ’26 and Adam Callahan ’27 earned bronze in the Boys Varsity Lightweight 2x, showcasing toughness, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure on one of rowing’s biggest stages. Together, the results highlighted the depth and competitiveness of the GFS program across multiple events and racing categories.

For GFS Crew, the weekend represented more than podium finishes. It reflected the culture that Head Coach Brian Severi and the coaching staff have worked tirelessly to build—one rooted in discipline, trust, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence. From early morning training sessions to long hours spent refining technique and race strategy, the athletes’ preparation was evident throughout the regatta.

To compete at Stotesbury is an accomplishment in itself. To leave with multiple medals and a championship places this year’s team among the most accomplished in recent GFS Crew history.

Congratulations to Coach Severi, the coaching staff, and every member of the Tigers rowing program on a truly historic day on the Schuylkill River. The future of GFS Crew continues to move forward with strength and momentum.