Coming off of a good start only weeks ago, varsity women’s rowing is ready to take on the largest regatta in the world: Head of the Charles, held in Boston every year.

“We’re seeded in the top half due to our finish last year,” head coach Carie Graves said. “There are many teams racing in the Head of the Charles this weekend, but a rower’s biggest rival is always themselves. It isn’t really about anyone else or anything else except getting one’s head around the fact that in order to win or do well that one’s mind has to convince oneself their body is going to have to go through some big-time pain and hurt in order to do well. That has to happen again and again on each stroke.”

Moving the boat efficiently and executing good combinations of rowers for the fastest boat possible will be key with this weekend’s lineups. Only taking a handful of girls to Boston, the team is fired up and ready to compete early Sunday morning in the collegiate races. Not to mention there were a number of primary girls out of the first race of the year.