For the second year in a row, the William Smith varsity eight returned from the Head of the Charles with a set of medals. The Herons turned in a third place showing in the collegiate eights race, trailing only Division II Grand Valley State and Trinity (Conn.). The Herons were fourth through the first time check, moved up to third at the second check, and slipped back to fourth at the third check. Thanks to a strong finishing sprint, the Herons posted a time of 18:02.46, 29.36 seconds faster than fourth place Ithaca. Sophomore coxswain Susan Tuvell, senior stroke Lauren Blake-Whitney, senior Sinead Reilly, senior Katie Paige, sophomore Grace Hutton, first-year Catherine Wolf-Rodda, senior Libby Hughes, senior Alyssa Trebilcock, and junior bow Morgan Burgess powered the boat down the 4,800-meter course. William Smith, which finished second last season, has finished in the top 10 at the Charles in seven consecutive seasons.