Ledyard – Near the end of Saturday’s 156th Yale-Harvard Regatta, Yale continued to put every ounce of energy into every stroke despite holding a commanding lead.

The varsity heavyweight crew wanted to finish strong not only to post a good time but to honor legendary coach Steve Gladstone, who’s retiring after 50 plus years in the sport, including the last 13 seasons in charge at Yale.

“All season, it’s been in the back of our mind that this is Steve’s last season,” said senior Fergus Hamilton, still soaking wet from his team’s victory dip in the Thames River. “It definitely plays a factor in every stroke out there. … The emotions came in, this one is for Steve.”

It was an extremely satisfying day for Yale and the 82-year-old Gladstone.

Yale led from the start at the Gold Star Bridge to the finish at Bartlett’s Cove, completing the four-mile, upstream course in 19 minutes, 14.9 seconds to beat Harvard (19:26.6) by about 12 seconds.

“I feel so happy for the guys,” Gladstone said. “The varsity just took over from stroke one, made a statement and left no doubt, and that was it. It’s a great day. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the people that you’ve worked with and trained demonstrate their speed.

“What’s more satisfying than that? That’s what we work for.”

It was Yale’s sixth straight victory in the series. There was no official result in the 2016 race and the event was canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

Saturday’s result was expected.

Yale enjoyed a terrific season, dominating the Ivy League and winning its seventh straight Eastern Sprints Championship, and came in as the heavy favorite.

Yale took off from the start, established a full boat length before the mile marker and was never challenged.

“It was exactly what we wanted today — go out hard and stay in rhythm and just let the race fold out, row how we row and enjoy it,” Ferguson said.

Yale couldn’t afford to let up despite the big lead.

Harvard kept the pressure on to the finish line.

“Harvard never let go,” Gladstone said. “That’s four miles, and they never let go. They were on it and after it all the way up the course.”

A year ago, Yale swept all four races while setting the upstream course record.

The Bulldogs posted three wins this weekend, claiming the second varsity (14:29.4 to Harvard’s 14:33.2) and fourth varsity (9:54.2 to 10:03.1) events. In the closest race of the day, the Crimson won third varsity (9:55 to 9:57.3).

Harvard leads the varsity series overall, 95-60.

An emotional Gladstone chatted with his victorious rowers after the heavyweight race and reflected on his long and successful career.

“What I feel is enormous, deep gratitude for having found the work that I love to do,” Gladstone said. “I’m grateful that that’s been my place.”

Ferguson summed up what Gladstone has meant to the program since taking over in 2010.

“Everything,” Ferguson said. “This program is Steve Gladstone. The amount of passion he has for the guys and the sport, it’s just everything.”

g.keefe@theday.com