RegattaCentral

History of Rowing on the Cuyahoga & 

The 28th ANNUAL HEAD OF THE CUYAHOGA REGATTA

September 21, 2024

In September of 1856, the first rowing competition on the Cuyahoga River took place.  

As reported in the local papers, over 20,000 people attended this event. 

The Ivanhoe Boat Club of Cleveland won the race against the Rover Boat Club of Sandusky.

The Mazeppa, a mens's four with coxswain, was raced from what is now the W 3rd St. bridge to what is now the Carter Rd. bridge.

They finished the 1.5 miles in 12:05.

The Head of the Cuyahoga began in 1996, as a sucessor to 7 years of sprint racing inside the break-wall of Lake Erie.  

The HOTC averages over 500 entries, 2000+ rowers from 60+ clubs & over 15 states. 

It is one of the most technically challenging head racing courses in the country.  

AWARDS

The Marcovy Cup

Introduced in 1990, the Marcovy Cup is presented to the first place winner of the Open Women's 4+.

This cup is named for Tim Marcovy, the first president of Western Reserve Rowing Association.  

• 2023: Adrian College - 20:55.9
• 2022: Adrian College – 20:18.9
• 2021:  Western Reserve Rowing Association – 20:45.0
• 2020: (Results not available)
• 2019:  Case Western Reserve University – 20:29.70
• 2018:  Mercyhurst University – 18:19.72
• 2017:  Shaker Heights High School – 16:36.88
• 2016:  Upper Arlington High School 19:33.14
• 2015:  Upper Arlington High School – 19:27.39
• 2014:  Upper Arlington High School – 19:24.79
• 2013:  Western Reserve Rowing Association – 9:30.90 **
• 2012:  Three Rivers Rowing Association – 21:13.59
• 2011:  Case Western University – 20:20.00
• 2010:  Three Rivers Rowing Association - 16:03.00
• 2009:  South Niagra Rowing Club – 14:35.00
• 2008:  South Niagra Rowing Club – 14:55.00
• 2007:  Case Crew – 17:12.00
• 2006:  Greater Columbus Rowing Association – 16:55.60
• 2005:  Greater Columbus Rowing Association – 15:36.57
• 2004:  Wheaton College Crew – 17:56.00
• 2003:  Carnegie Mellon – 17:35.55
• 2002:  Carnegie Mellon – 18:32.00
• 2001:  Michigan State Women – 15:43.00
• 2000:  West Virginia – 17:12.0
• 1999:  John Carroll University
• 1998:  John Carroll University
• 1997:  Western Reserve Rowing Association
• 1996:  Western Reserve Rowing Association
• 1995:  (Results not available)
• 1994:  (Results not available)
• 1993:  Three Rivers Rowing Association
• 1992:  Three Rivers Rowing Association
• 1991:  Greater Columbus Rowing Association 
• 1990:  Beaumont High School

(** 2500m course)

The Ivanhoe Boat Club Award 

Introduced in 1996, this award is presented to the men's 4+ (junior, open, or masters) with the overall best time.

• 2023: Marietta College - 12:22.9
• 2022: Greater Columbus Rowing Association – 17:06.4
• 2021: St. Ignatius High School – 17:55.0
• 2020: (Results not available)
• 2019:  Mercyhurst University – 17:55.50
• 2018:  Upper Arlington High School – 16:49.82
• 2017:  Upper Arlington High School – 14:08.72
• 2016:  St Edward High School – 16:12.50
• 2015:  St Edward High School – 16:52.82
• 2014:  Western Reserve Rowing Association – 17:45.02
• 2013:  St. Ignatius High School – 8:34.94 **
• 2012:  Upper Arlington High School – 17:46.53
• 2011:  Miami University – 17:32.00
• 2010:  Miami University – 14:01.00
• 2009:  South Niagra Rowing Club – 13:01.00
• 2008:  Western Reserve Rowing Association – 13:48.50
• 2007:  Wildcat Rowing Club – 14:03.00
• 2006:  Carnegie Mellon University Rowing Club – 11:30.30
• 2005:  Wooden Boathouse Crew – 13:51.71
• 2004:  Greater Columbus Rowing Association – 15:37.5
• 2003:  St Ignatius High School – 15:26.53
• 2002:  Carnegie Mellon – 16:32
• 2001:  Michigan State Men – 15:02
• 2000:  Three Rivers Rowing Association – 14:54.6
• 1999:  (Results not available)
• 1998:  (Results not available)
• 1997:  (Results not available)
• 1996:  (Results not available)

(** 2500m course)

The Chris Ernst "A Hero for Daisy" Award

Introduced in 2006, this award is presented to the women's 8+ (junior, open, or masters) with the overall best time in honor of Chris Ernst, a former Yale & Olympic Rower & noted advocate of women's sports.

• 2023: Saint Joseph Academy - 17:34.7
• 2022: Western Reserve Rowing Association – 18.02.7
• 2021: Dayton Boat Club – 18:47.9
• 2020: (Results not available)
• 2019:  Mercyhurst University – 17:56.10
• 2018:  Mercyhurst University – 17:20.23
• 2017:  Saint Joseph Academy – 17:41.61
• 2016:  Westerville Rowing Club – 17:14.87
• 2015:  Westerville Rowing Club – 18:04.88
• 2014:  Western Reserve Rowing Association – 18:46.51
• 2013:  Upper Arlington High School – 9:13.63 **
• 2012:  Indianapolis Rowing Club – 18:53.35
• 2011:  Anthony Wayne High School – 18:20.00
• 2010:  St. Ursula Academy – 15:01.00
• 2009:  South Niagra Rowing Club – 14:19.00
• 2008:  Westerville Rowing Club – 14:43.00
• 2007:  St. Ursula Academy – 15:35.00
• 2006:  St. Ursula Academy – 15:05:00

(**2500m course)

The Zita Vernelis Award

Introduced in 2019, this award is presented to the winner of the women's open 4x in honor of Zita Varnelis.

• 2023: Sylvan Scullers - 24:07.3
• 2022: Three Rivers Rowing Association 20:36.1
• 2021: Cincinnati Rowing Club – 19:56.6
• 2020: (Results not available)
• 2019:  North Allegheny – 21:27.00

The American Legion Cup

Introduced in 2021 this award is presented to the winner of the Mixed Veterans 8+.

• 2023: Western Reserve Rowing Association - 20:05.8
• 2022: Western Reserve Rowing Association – 22:01.7
• 2021: Western Reserve Rowing Association – 24:39.6

Youth Boys Team Points

• 2023: Westerville

Youth Girls Team Points

• 2023: Saint Joseph Academy

Overall Team Points

• 2023: Western Reserve Rowing Association