With crisp autumn weather and beautiful fall foliage as a backdrop, Manhasset's HS Crew Team recently competed in two back-to-back regattas in Connecticut-the Head of the Housatonic in Shelton and the Head of the Connecticut in Middletown. Crew racing is a grueling sport requiring technique, strength and mental toughness to row at top speed for two to three miles in these "Head" races. Once again, Manhasset's team proved it was up to the challenge, bringing home a total of nine medals.

In The Head of the Housatonic Regatta Manhasset claimed four medals: Varsity took home one and the Novice Boys and Girls teams captured three medals. The 2.7-mile course, including some turns, starts about a mile above the Yale boathouse and ends at the New Haven Rowing Club facility. Competing in this regatta for Manhasset were:

Mens HS Eight (Two Boats) - Cox: Nick Kavourias, Rowers: Ty Louis, Mike Grunberg, Joe Calderone (Co-Captain), Sebastian Barrera (Co-Captain), Hayes Brown, Mike Yee, Jim Krach and Steve Cobos.

Cox: Zan Kostoulas, Rowers: Ross Kapetanos, Robbie Hogan, Matt LoBello, Alec Ferrara, Chris Dorogoff, James Izzo, Sean McIntee, and Joe Toole.

Mens HS Four (Two Boats) - Gold Medal: Cox: Nick Kavourias, Rowers: Ty Louis, Sebastian Barrera (Co-Captain), Joe Calderone (Co-Captain), and Mike Yee. Cox: Nick Bilotto, Rowers: George Politidis, Michael Grunberg, Jim Krach and Steve Cobos.

Mens HS Novice Eight - Bronze Medal: Cox: Alex Kavourias, Rowers: Stefan Hummel, Lucas Smilios, Paris Thatos, Max Johnson, Chris Kasabian, Alan Delaney, Christian Voto and Danny Merola.

Mens HS Novice Four - Silver Medal: Cox: Emily Battaglia; Rowers: Sean Prasso, John King, Shivam Patel and Chris Yiachos.

Womens HS Eight - Cox: Emma Byrne, Rowers: Molly Brown, Maria Manis, Lia Khatchadourian, Brynn DiLonardo, Chantel Maher, Kristen Wilhouski, Beth Tamkin and Georgina Thermos.

Womens HS Novice Eight - Bronze Medal: Cox: Justine Yunakov; Rowers: Katharine Frost, Leah Ruggiero, Nicole Rallis, Catriona Whalley, Brittany Lee, Katie Keane, Jenny Aitken and Celine Rubio.

The following day, at The Head of the Connecticut Regatta, Manhasset's Varsity crew team dominated, claiming five medals. Competing in this 3-mile race for Manhasset were:

Mens HS Eight - Gold Medal: Cox: Nick Kavourias, Rowers: Ty Louis, Mike Grunberg, Joe Calderone (Co-Captain), Sebastian Barrera (Co-Captain), Hayes Brown, Mike Yee, Jim Krach and Steve Cobos.

Womens HS Eight - Cox: Emma Byrne, Rowers: Natalie Moreira, Maria Manis, Lia Khatchadourian, Sanam Sharifi (Co-Captain), Brynn DiLonardo, Kristen Wilhouski, Molly Brown and Georgina Thermos.

Womens HS Four - Bronze Medal: Cox: Margot Cyprus, Rowers: Elizabeth Henry, Megan Clarke, Jenny Aitken and Kerrigan Hummel (Co-Captain).

Mens JV Eight - Gold Medal: Cox: Zan Kostoulas, Rowers: Ross Kapetanos, Robbie Hogan, Matt LoBello, Alec Ferrara, Chris Dorogoff, James Izzo, Sean McIntee, and Joe Toole.

Mens HS Four - Gold Medal: Cox: Virginia Brodie, Rowers: Ty Louis, Sebastian Barrera (Co-Captain), Joe Calderone (Co-Captain), and Mike Yee.

Mens JV Four - Bronze Medal: Cox: Nick Bilotto, Rowers: George Politidis, Michael Grunberg, Jim Krach and Steve Cobos.

Congratulations to all MHS Crew Team competitors on their outstanding showing in these events.