The St. Joseph’s Prep rowing team swept the competition and won the most medals at the 97th annual Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the world’s oldest and largest high school rowing competition, held this weekend beginning on Friday and running through Saturday on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
St. Joseph’s Prep won 41 gold, 10 silver, and 5 bronze medals, totaling 56 medals. This victory marks the second consecutive year that St. Joe’s Prep has claimed the overall crown. This year, more than 180 schools competed in the prestigious event.
During Saturday’s finals, the Hawks’ varsity eight sealed their victory with a winning time of 4 minutes, 13.80 seconds.
The Prep’s varsity four (4:48.23) also had a stellar race but fell short against Bethesda-Chevy Chase of Maryland (4:47.11), which took first place. Haverford School, which placed sixth overall, secured third place with a time of 4:49.89.
Other local schools also racked up medals, including Mount Saint Joseph, which placed third overall. The Mount’s girls’ varsity eight (4:52.89) and second eight (5:04.99) each won their categories.
Rounding out the top five were Gonzaga College High School of Washington (second), Bethesda-Chevy Chase (fourth), and Montclair High School of New Jersey (fifth).
For 97 years, the Stotesbury Cup Regatta has been a beloved tradition in the City of Brotherly Love. High school rowers from across the nation converge on the Schuylkill River, their oars slicing through the water as they compete for glory. The regatta showcases the dedication, teamwork, and sheer determination of these young athletes.
The regatta has been a continuous tradition since 1927. Edward T. Stotesbury, a local philanthropist, was urged by members of the Philadelphia rowing community to underwrite the cost of an award that would serve as the ultimate goal for scholastic rowing.
The first Stotesbury Cup was won by Philadelphia’s West Catholic High School. Women began rowing in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in 1974 with the Girls’ Senior Eight competition, and the first winner of that race was St. Andrew’s School of Delaware. Today, young women make up more than 50 percent of the rowers at the regatta.
Over the years, races and trophies have been added, culminating in today’s 31 championship events. What began as a local Philadelphia “Cup Race” has evolved into a full-fledged regatta that endures as the largest high school rowing regatta in the world. Exceptionally fine crews from all parts of the United States and Canada travel to the Schuylkill River to participate.
Over 5,000 competitors meet at the Athletes Village to experience both the spirit of rowing competition and the physical challenge of competing against the finest high school crews. Their achievements draw a crowd of nearly 10,000 spectators.
The Stotesbury Cup Regatta continues to create memories while celebrating the rowing community. This year’s event showcased the dedication, skill, and sportsmanship of all participants, reinforcing the regatta’s legacy of excellence.