Oriel men’s eight restore Summer Eights headship

Oriel College’s men’s first eight restored their place at Head of the River in Summer Eights after bumping Wolfson on the first race of the week.

The result was especially rewarding after a disappointing end to Summer Eights in 2025, when the men’s eight had to concede the headship due to a damaged rudder.

“It’s an amazing feeling to get the headship back and even more special to do it in our 700th year,” said outgoing men’s captain Freiderikos Vassos.

Oriel’s women’s first eight also had a successful week on the Isis, bumping Lincoln and Keble to move up to ninth in division one.

The women’s second eight meanwhile continued to climb the divisions, bumping twice, and are now the fifth-highest women’s second boat on the river.

Outgoing women’s captain Merle Beerens said: “It’s incredible to see so many great results across all crews this week.

“We have worked so hard to make this a good campaign, and to pull it off and celebrate with so many present and past members of Oriel is really special.”

Oriel’s men’s second eight spent much of the week in close pursuit of the St Hugh’s first eight. The St Hugh’s and Oriel crews were both bumped by Exeter, but the Oriel second eight is still the only second eight in division two.

“These are superb results for our athletes in Oriel’s 700th year,” said Lord Mendoza, Oriel’s Provost.

“Congratulations to all of the crews that raced, and in particular to our men’s first eight, who rowed over at a safe distance after bumping Wolfson at the earliest opportunity in the week’s racing.”

At the end of Saturday’s races, Oriel’s crews carried a wooden replica of the men’s winning boat in a procession through Oxford from the Boat House to Oriel College.

Students and alumni then came together for “bumps supper” in Hall, with speeches by the outgoing captains and incoming captains Emma Kate Price and Tom Bisatt.

After the dinner, the attendees gathered in First Quad for the ceremonial burning of the boat.