Posted: May 26, 2012

More Hardware! Blue Crew Takes Third at NCAA Championships

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Wellesley College crew team will bring home hardware for the second year in a row, taking third place in the team scoring at the 2012 NCAA Division III Rowing Championships. Wellesley combined a fourth place finish in the varsity eight race and a third place finish in the second varsity race, to place third overall in the team standings.

In the varsity eight grand final, Wellesley fell behind early, fighting for fifth place with Trinity after 500 meters. The Blue crept forward over the next 1000 meters, moving ahead of fourth place Marietta and trailing Williams, Bates and William Smith. In the final 500 meters, the Blue made up ground on third place, but couldn't capitalize on the final push, finishing fourth overall.

Williams took the varsity eight title in a blistering 6:31.9, followed by Bates (6:35.14) and William Smith (6:35.94). Wellesley came in with a solid 6:41.02, ahead of Marietta (6:44.40) and Trinity (6:53.28). Coast Guard and Puget Sound finished seventh and eighth, competing in the petite final earlier in the day.

In the second varsity grand final, Wellesley placed third overall in a strong race. Williams pulled away from the four-team field early, leaving Wellesley, Bates and Trinity battling for second. The Blue held strong through the first 500 meters, before Bates opened up a lead. After 1,500 meters, Bates was up a length over Wellesley with the Blue up on Trinity. Wellesley sprinted to the finish, making up ground on Bates, and sealing third place over Trinity.

Williams finished in 6:49.74, followed by Bates (6:58.34), Wellesley (7:01.85) and Trinity (7:04.24). William Smith and Marietta, who finished fifth and sixth overall, competed in the petite final, to round out the second varsity field.

In the team standings, Williams grabbed their seventh straight title, with first place finishes in the grand finals of both competitions. Bates took second with second place finishes in each event, while Wellesley finished third overall for the second year in a row. William Smith took fourth place, followed by Marietta and Trinity.

The third place finish matches the highest ever team finish for Wellesley College Athletics at an NCAA team championship. The 2012 crew team tied both the 2011 crew team and the 1998 volleyball team with third place finishes at the NCAA Championships.

The 2012 NCAA Championships wrapped up another fantastic season for the Blue crew team. Wellesley took home the 2012 NEWMAC Championship, while also winning a Seven Sisters championship in the fall. The Blue also took second among Division III competition at the New England Championships and third in Division III at the ECAC Championships.

Row2k.com photo

Row2k.com photo

Row2k.com photo