Silver Medal Highlights Blue Crew Action at ECACs

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Wellesley College crew team closed out its regular season with a solid day of racing at the 2013 ECAC National Invitational Regatta. Highlighting the day for the Blue was a silver medal for the novice boat, while three crews made it to the grand finals.

The novice eight opened its day earning a spot in the grand final by placing second in heats. In the finals, Wellesley battled a tight field, settling into second place in the last 500. The Blue earned silver medals in the final novice action for the season. Trinity took first in 7:21.18, while Wellesley's 7:28.23 defeated Ithaca, Coast Guard, William Smith and Bates.

Wellesley's first and second varsity boats also advanced to the grand finals in their events. The varsity eight opened their action with a fast preliminary heat, placing second overall with a 6:43.30, earning the crew a spot in the grand final. Battling the top six boats in the country in the finals, Wellesley ranked fifth overall, finishing in 6:50.53. Williams took the top spot, followed by Bates, William Smith, Trinity, Wellesley and UNH.

In second varsity racing, the Blue had an incredible opening heat, flying past several crews that had beaten them this season. Wellesley (6:59.60) finished second to just Williams (6:51.47), while defeating WPI, UNH, Simmons and Colby. In the finals, the Blue ranked fifth overall (7:50.51), behind Williams, Trinity, Bates and Ithaca, but ahead of NY-rival, William Smith.

Wellesley's third varsity eight also had a solid showing at the event. In the morning race, the Blue finished fifth overall to earn a spot in the petite final. Closing out their action, the crew finished second in the petite final with a 7:44.08, behind only Wesleyan (7:38.30). Their second place finish in the petite final, ranked Wellesley as the eighth best 3V overall.

Wellesley will now await selections to the 2013 NCAA Rowing Championships. The announcement will be made on ncaa.com at 7:00pm. 

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