Brown Women's Crew achieved a significant milestone this week by winning the Willing Trophy at the 51st Women's Sprints Regatta in Worcester, Massachusetts. This victory marks the Bears' fifth consecutive team championship at this annual event and their 15th title since 1990. The Varsity Eight, coxed by Summer Balla-Kellett and stroked by Sydney Chait-Walter, demonstrated their dominance by winning both their heat and the Grand Final, finishing with a time of 6:12.109, over three seconds ahead of the nearest competitor. The Second Varsity Eight mirrored this success, clinching victories in both their races, solidifying Brown's status as a powerhouse in collegiate rowing.
In softball, the Bears are gearing up for the Ivy League Tournament, where they will face top-seeded Princeton on May 7. Brown enters the tournament as the fourth seed after finishing the regular season with an 11-9 record in league play. This year, three players received All-Ivy honors: Macy Borowski earned Second Team recognition, while Abby Bettencourt and Jasmine Hsiao were named Honorable Mentions. Bettencourt's performance has been particularly noteworthy; she was named Ivy League Player of the Week after hitting .778 over the weekend, driving in eight runs and helping secure the Bears' place in the tournament.
The men's basketball team recently held its year-end banquet, where they celebrated the achievements of the past season. Landon Lewis received the J. Richmond Fales Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship and performance, while Jeremiah Jenkins was honored with the Jim Turner '86 Award for his dedication and improvement throughout the year. Lewis also received the Bernard V. Buonanno, Jr. '60 Award for his excellence both on the court and in the classroom, highlighting the dual commitment to athletics and academics at Brown.
In sailing, the women's team was recognized with the Ivy League Co-Coaching Staff of the Year award. Under the guidance of Barry Family Director of Sailing Chair John Mollicone, the Bears achieved a No. 2 national ranking and secured a podium finish at the ICSA Women's Team Race National Championship. Several individuals also earned All-Ivy honors, including Katherine Majette, Katherine McNamara, and Katharine Doble, showcasing the team's depth and talent.
The wrestling program saw Andrew Reall earn a fourth-place finish at the 2026 US Open Championship, further establishing his reputation following a dominant season. Several other Bears also competed, with Max Norman, Eli Carr, and Riley McPherson contributing strong performances in their respective weight classes. Reall will continue his competitive journey at the U20 World Team Trials later this month.
Finally, the football team announced the addition of 26 new recruits for the Class of 2030, featuring a diverse group of athletes from across the country. Head coach James Perry expressed excitement about the incoming talent, emphasizing the potential these players bring to the program. Meanwhile, women's soccer welcomed ten new student-athletes to their roster, promising to enhance the team's competitive edge moving forward.