Wellesley Crew's Bates and Hanitchak Among CRCA Athletes to Watch
WILMINGTON, Del. -- On Tuesday, the College Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) released its inaugural Athletes to Watch list for the 2024 season. Wellesley College crew senior Anya Hanitchak (Andover, Mass.) and sophomore Hannah Bates (Fair Haven, N.J.) have both been recognized.
In total, 18 student-athletes made up the Division III Athletes to Watch team. The Blue are one of six Division III programs to have multiple student-athletes selected.
Hanitchak was a member of the Blue Crew 2022 and 2023 NCAA Division III Championship teams. A two-time NEWMAC All-Conference First Team student-athlete, Hanitchak rowed in the Varsity Eight (V8+) stroke seat for both championship teams.
Bates rowed in the third seat of the V8+ at last year's NCAA Championships. The sophomore has also been a part of two NEWMAC Boats of the Week.
The team opens its spring season in Chestertown, Md. on March 23 at the Washington College Invitational.
The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association works to promote a positive collegiate rowing experience by fostering a diverse and inclusive community of coaches that value their professional development and promoting equity & leadership within the sport. The CRCA serves as the voice and advocate for its members, in order to grow and promote excellence in collegiate women's rowing.