Second Varsity Eight Takes Title, Varsity Eight Fourth at NERC

WORCESTER, Mass. – Wellesley College crew's Second Varsity Eight took the title in the 2V8 Grand Final, while the Varsity Eight finished in fourth in the V8 Grand Final as the Blue competed at the 2016 New England Rowing Championship on Saturday on Lake Quinsigamond. The Blue captured the overall points championship at the event for the first time in program history.

Blue crew's 2V8 raced to a time of 7:08.196 in the Grand Final, outpacing second place Bates College (7:11.549) and third place Williams College (7:13.584). The Wellesley 2V8 advanced to the final with a time of 7:00.337 in their opening heat, a mark that helped the Blue to a margin of victory of just under ten seconds.

The Blue Varsity Eight also picked up a win in their opening heat, defeating Wesleyan by just over three seconds with a time of 6:49.921. Wellesley posted the second fastest time in the preliminary heats, as only Bates' mark of 6:48.404 was better. The Blue advanced to the Grand Final where they would ultimately finish fourth with a time of 6:56.609, trailing first place Bates (6:51.799), Wesleyan (6:54.787), and Williams (6:55.390).

Wellesley took third in the Third Varsity Eight with a time of 7:21.203. Williams (7:15.843) and Bates (7:20.719) owned the top-two spots in the field. The Blue 3V8 advanced to the Grand Final by winning their opening heat (7:17.194). The Wellesley Novice Eight helped secure a second victory on the day for the Blue, racing to a time of 7:25.706 to run away from the field in the event. 

The Blue also earned a win in the Petite Final of the Second Varsity Four (8:40.456) and a fourth place finish in the Petite Final of the Novice Four (8:41.642).

Wellesley returns to Lake Quinsigamond for the fourth time this spring on Sunday, May 8, for the ECAC/National Invitational Rowing Championship.