CRC Rower Beatrix Lay (Grayson School '25) Commits to Row at Harvard

RADNOR, PA – November 20 – Beatrix Lay, a competitive junior rower at Conshohocken Rowing Center (CRC) and a high school senior at The Grayson School, has verbally committed to continue her rowing in college next year at Harvard University. The announcement was made on National Signing Day at The Grayson School in Radnor, PA.

"Generational talent goes beyond an athlete's 2k score and rowing resume. Generational talent will lead by example and vocally,” said CRC Head Coach Aaron Preetam, himself a five-time USA national team coach and former national team single sculler for the Dominican Republic. “Generational talent will astutely aspire to represent their country on the world stage and achieve the pinnacle of our great sport. Bea Lay is a generational talent.”

Ms. Lay, a Bryn Mawr resident, has dominated on the water and in the classroom, winning gold at just 14 years old in the U17 Womens 4+ at Mid Atlantic Regional Championships and finishing in the top six in the category at her first appearance at US Rowing’s Youth National Championships. Just months later, she captured gold in the U17 Womens 4+ at Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and her same boat took gold at The Head of the Charles, the largest regatta in the world.

She built on her success in 2023, leading her team to first place at Mid Atlantics Regional Championships in the Varsity Womens 8+ and strong results at the Youth National Championships, before accomplishing the rare achievement of winning a second gold at Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, this time in the Varsity Womens 4+. In the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, she continued racing in the Varsity Womens 8+ where her team consistently posted strong results.

This fall, Ms. Lay added to her achievements, winning double gold at King’s Head Regatta in the U19 Womens Single and U19 Mixed Varsity Quad, silver at Navy Day Regatta in the Varsity Womens Double, and gold at Philadelphia Frostbite Regatta in the Varsity Womens Quad.

Ms. Lay puts team first, rowing in sweep and sculling competitions in singles, doubles, quads and fours, and eights. She has coached upcoming rowers for two years, teaching them the physical and mental skills critical for success.

“Bea's rowing acumen is one of the strongest I have seen in my career,” said Preetam. “She has an exceptional grasp of the technical aspects of rowing, and her ability to translate that knowledge into performance has consistently set her apart from her peers. She has consistently demonstrated the qualities and potential that distinguish her as a high-performing athlete and an invaluable member of any team.”

Ms. Lay has distinguished herself with notable accomplishments in the classroom and was named to the US Rowing Scholastic Honor Roll with a GPA of 4.5. Passionate about data and social sciences, she has been recognized with The Grayson School’s Departmental Award for English and the Departmental Award for Athletics. As Secretary of the Student Council, she works to improve student benefits and events for all Grayson students. She is also a three-time National German Scholar recipient and was a state champion finalist for the National History Day competition.

The Conshohocken Rowing Center Junior Competitive Race Team is comprised of 12 high school rowers from across the region who were selected for their dedication, achievement, and performance on and off the water. The team is based in Conshohocken under the leadership of CRC executive director Craig Hoffman, head coach Aaron Preetam, and coaches Bill McNabb and Dylan Green who collectively bring more than 100 years of rowing expertise and mentorship to the program. For information, visit conshohockenrowingcenter.org. Interested rowers can apply for consideration at https://forms.gle/yZX7GdwsHRrHduQq8 .