CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --  The Bates rowing teams had a busy two days on the Charles River, competing against a variety of opponents and coming away with some impressive victories.

The men's rowing team went one-on-one with Boston College on Saturday, and beat the Eagles in both races. Led by junior coxswain Izzy Beck (Upper Montclair, N.J.) and sophomore stroke George Fauver (Bedford, N.Y.), the men's first varsity eight raced to the finish in 6:13.8, winning easily over Boston College, as the BC 1V crossed the finish line in 6:34.4.

The men's second and third varsity eights both beat the Boston College second varsity eight in their race. Led by first-year coxswain Darien Chiang (Quincy, Mass.) and senior captain stroke Andrew Frey (Berkeley, Calif.), the men's second varsity eight raced to the finish in 6:36, while the 3V crossed the finish line in 6:46. The Eagles came in third in seven minutes flat.

Facing a strong head current, the Bates women's first varsity eight and second varsity eight raced both the MIT Lightweights and Simmons. The Engineers won the race in 7:16.6, but the Bates 1V wasn't far behind with a time of 7:21.9. The Bates 2V finished in 7:40.3, with Simmons pulling up the rear in 8:46.8.

Although the Bates program focuses on eights, the Bates fours both turned in terrific performances, out-racing the MIT Lightweights on Saturday. Led by first-year coxswain Sarah Wallace (Fairfield, Conn.) and senior stroke Olivia Dekker (Bethesda, Md.), the first varsity four won the race in 8:44.4. Meanwhile, led by sophomore coxswain Audrey Kamine (Washington, D.C.) and junior stroke Rylee Eaton (Little Deer Isle, Maine), the second varsity four finished the race in 8:53.7. MIT finished behind both boats in 9:04.0.

On Sunday, the competition level increased, with the all three women's eights going up against the BU Lightweights and Boston College, and all three men's eights taking on Georgetown and the Harvard Lightweights. 

While Bates came in third in all six races, the Bobcats enjoyed some national exposure, as the races aired on ESPN Plus and Bates held their own against the D1 competition. 

"I'm quite pleased overall," head coach Peter Steenstra said. "Despite challenging conditions Saturday and real tough competition Sunday, the crews performed well in this early season double weekend of racing. I think we're in a good place as we look toward next weekend and the opening of NESCAC competition."

The Bobcats head back to Massachusetts next weekend for races with Tufts, Wesleyan, and Wellesley on Saturday for the women's team. The men will also race Tufts and Wesleyan. Then on Sunday, WPI hosts races for both teams.

Bates MV8 lineup: Bow: Luke Desmaison; 2: Sean Christiansen; 3: Jimmy Staller; 4: Isaac Levinger; 5: Lando Putnam-Bagley; 6: Conor McGuckin; 7: Charlie Berman; Stroke: George Fauver; c: Izzy Beck

Bates M2V8 lineup: Bow: Erik Lindholm; 2: Hugh McCabe; 3: Brendan Kelly; 4: Kelly McKaige; 5: Oliver Firmenich; 6: Charles Renvyle; 7: Riley Young; Stroke: Andrew Frey; c: Darien Chiang

Bates M3V8 lineup (Saturday): Bow: Finian Guinney; 2: Will Conway; 3: Leo Sullivan; 4: Alex Appleton; 5: Micah Johnson; 6: Nick Hoerle; 7: Luke Johnson; Stroke: Ian Van Loo; c: Micah Shimizu

Bates M3V8 lineup (Sunday): Bow: Finian Guinney; 2: Will Conway; 3: Leo Sullivan; 4: Alex Appleton; 5: Benji Richards; 6: Nick Hoerle; 7: Micah Johnson; Stroke: Ian Van Loo; c: Micah Shimizu

Bates WV8 lineup: Bow: Hannah Burdick; 2: Olivia Smith; 3: Olivia Szachta; 4: Livia Bernhardt; 5: Katarina Dickson; 6: Isabelle Martin; 7: Maggie Gill; Stroke: Cal Dagner; c: Lucy Del Col

Bates W2V8 lineup: Bow: May Fastaia; 2: Elizabeth Gramley; 3: Hannah de Fontaine; 4: Tatum Holley; 5: Quinn Gleason; 6: Megan O'Donnell; 7: Miryam Keller; Stroke: Charlotte Comrack; c: Oli Seline

Bates WV4 lineup: Bow: Julia Buzacott; 2: Dominique Bunnell; 3: Froney Dreher; 4: Olivia Dekker; c: Sarah Wallace

Bates W2V4 lineup: Bow: Claire Scott; 2: Sula Harf; 3: Madeline Kemp; 4: Rylee Eaton; c: Audrey Kamine

Bates W3V8 lineup: Bow: Claire Scott; 2: Julia Buzacott; 3: Froney Dreher; 4: Sula Harf; 5: Olivia Dekker; 6: Dominique Bunnell; 7: Madeline Kemp; Stroke: Rylee Eaton; c: Audrey Kamine