ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women's rowing team is set to make history on Saturday as the program competes in its first ever competition. The Great Danes will make their way Cherry Hill, N.J., to take part in the Knecht Cup Regatta.
 
Regatta Info
The Knecht Cup Regatta
April 12-13, 2025
Cooper River, Cherry Hill, N.J.
Course Map | Heat Sheets | Official Website
 
Watch Live
The 2025 Knecht Cup Regatta will have an official live stream on its YouTube page for fans to keep up with all the action throughout the weekend. On the call is Mike Jerrick, Drew Anderson, Regina Salmons, and Joe Leonard.
 
CLICK HERE to view this year's official live stream.
 
Head Coach Kim Chavers
"We're incredibly proud to make our debut at the Knecht Cup this weekend. This will be the first collegiate race not only for our program, but for every student-athlete in our boats. It's a huge milestone and an exciting step forward. Our focus this spring is on growing the experience of our team—learning what it means to compete at this level, supporting each other through the process, and building the foundation for the future of UAlbany Rowing."
 
Great Danes in Action
UAlbany will have two boats competing in this weekend's event: the Women's Varsity 4+ and the Women's Frosh/Novice 8+. UAlbany's Varsity 4+ team is set to race at 8:50 a.m. from lane one (race 7c). The Frosh/Novice 8+ will compete at 2:38 p.m. from lane five (race 17b). Sunday's race times will depend on results on Saturday. To stay up to date, click here to view the Knecht Cup Regatta's heat sheets.
 
The UAlbany Lineup

• Varsity 4+
  • Cox | Gabriella DiOrio | So. | Syracuse, N.Y.
  • 4 | Julia Veal | Fr. | Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • 3 | Emma Maturo | Sr. | Syracuse, N.Y.
  • 2 | Riley Fallon | Fr. | Pottstown, Pa.
  • 1 | Ava Villiere | Fr. | Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
• Frosh/Novice 8+ 
  • Cox | Ava Kunac | Fr. | Clifton Park, N.Y.
  • 8 | Madison Bogart | So. | White Plains, N.Y.
  • 7 | Kelsey Reath | Jr. | Kennett Square, Pa.
  • 6 | Andrea Trifunovic | So. | Greene, N.Y.
  • 5 | Skylar Dannan | So. | Cazenovia, N.Y.
  • 4 | Hailey Chiarelli | Jr. East Islip, N.Y.
  • 3 | Samantha Nunes | Sr. New City, N.Y.
  • 2 | Allison Mittnight | Fr. | Williamsville, N.Y.
  • 1 | Hayden Johnston | Jr. | Montgomery, N.Y.

 
The Knecht Cup
The Knecht Cup Regatta honors the memory of William J. Knecht and his passion for the sport of rowing. Every year, the Knecht Cup invites colleges from across the country to compete in a 3 day event.
 
William Joseph "Bill" Knecht (March 10, 1930 – December 17, 1992) was an American competition rower. He took up the sport at La Salle High School , and later went to Villanova University, graduating in 1951. In 1946 he joined the Vesper Boat Club and won multiple national titles with them. Internationally he earned gold medals in the eights at the 1955 Pan American Games and 1964 Olympics, and in double sculls at the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games. He also took part in the double sculls event at the 1960 Olympics, paired with John B. Kelly Jr.
 
Bill's total involvement in rowing never ceased. Bill became a member of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team Committee and a judge at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He's a member of the American Rowing Hall of Fame and a founder of the Cooper River Rowing Association. He was President of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, he was the American delegate to FISA, the world rowing governing body, he was one of the founders of the National Rowing Foundation, and the creator of the rowing course on the Cooper River, in Camden County N.J.
 
Stay Updated
Stay up to date with UAlbany rowing by following the team on X (@UAlbanyRowing), Instagram (@ualbanyrowing) and Facebook for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.