A strong performance last spring gives the squad a good base off which to build. The first varsity eight placed fourth at the IRA National Championships and took bronze at Eastern Sprints.

With the Head of the Charles just around the corner, the Black and White varsity has continued its diligent practice regimen and even added a few twists to prepare for its biggest race of the year.

“Preparation for the Head of the Charles always involves a lot of long, steady state pieces and AT rowing,” Reichel said. “This year, with Michiel, we are practicing rowing in rough water and windy conditions. Conditions in the basin are usually pretty bad—windy, and sometimes there are whitecaps. A big part of rowing is being able to make the best of the conditions and the situation you are placed in.”

As the Radcliffe lightweight squad hits the water on Oct. 22, it will look to ride its success into the Head of the Charles.

“The race is really exciting for us as rowers because crew is not a big spectator sport, and this is one of the few races that we get a huge crowd out to watch us and cheer us on,” Reichel said.

With the immense crowd lining the Charles, Harvard will look to get in the zone and follow its own pace.

For yet another race, the team will turn to Reichel and her experience to keep cool and find its rhythm.

“You grow up and you gain experience with every single race,” Vrubel said. “You look to the people you’ve raced with [before] to keep you calm, and Marissa is one of those people who on race day is always ready and makes you feel better.”