(Frank Poulin)
(Frank Poulin)

Blue Crew Battles Region's Best, Windy Weather At New England Championships

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Wellesley College crew advanced all four eights boats grand finals, before weather played havoc with the remainder of the day's schedule at the 2017 New England Rowing Championships on Lake Quinsigamond.

There was no overall points trophy awarded due to cancelled events, but Wellesley emerged with the silver in the novice 4+ and the bronze in the second varsity eight following a day of racing that was delayed due to high winds midway through the schedule. The Blue's third varsity eight (3V8+) advanced to the finals with a time of 5:48.601, however, the delays ultimately lead to the cancellation of both the Novice 8 and and 3V8 finals.

Wellesley's second varsity 8 (2V8+) was dominate in an opening heat victory, advancing to the Grands with an open water victory (8:12.746) over second place Wesleyan (8:19.762). Wellesley also won heat two of the opening three Varsity 8+ (V8+) heats, finishing in 7:32.041, to send both of the top two crews on to the finals.

In the 2V8 Grand Final, the Blue (7:50.067) slipped behind Wesleyan (7:46.164) to take third, as Bates took the gold in 7:38.919. The Blue then went on to drop their time in the V8+ Grand Final (7:30.836), but top-ranked Bates (7:16.790) again took first, followed by second place Wesleyan (7:27.316) and third place Williams (7:28.252) in the final race of the day.

Blue Crew will be faced with a quick turnaround, and a third-straight trip to Lake Quinsigamond, when they compete at the National Invitational Rowing Championships on Friday, May 12.