Blue Crew Earns Pair of Top-15 Finishes at Head Of The Charles

BOSTON, Mass. -- Wellesley College crew handled the conditions well at a blustery 51st Head Of The Charles Regatta, securing two top-15 finishes in the Women's Collegiate Eight division on Sunday afternoon. Conditions were slow, as teams battled a strong headwind throughout the course and cool temperatures throughout the day.

The Wellesley first varsity boat, stroked by first year Emilia Ball (Albany, N.Y.), finished in fourth place with a time 17:40.79. The first varsity finished behind Williams, Mercyhurst, and defending NCAA champion Bates College. This is the fourth HOCR Collegiate Eight championship for Williams College. NCAA Division II program, Mercyhurst moved up substantially, starting at bow 14 and finishing 2nd overall. 

The Wellesley second varsity set a commanding pace, starting with bow 22 and passing several boats to finish in 15th place with a time of 18:27.283. Only Bates College was also able to finish two boats in the top 15 (3rd and 6th). The Collegiate Eight division boasted 32 entries of Division II and III programs from across the country. Both Wellesley boats qualified for next year's race by finishing in the top half of the field.

Blue Crew also fielded an alumnae eight that competed on Saturday in the Alumni/a divisions. Wellesley finished 28th out of 48 programs, competing against reunion crews from high schools and colleges. The winning program, Michigan Alumnae fielded a highly decorated crew of former National Team athletes and finished with a time of 17:27.307. 

The 2015 Head Of The Charles marked the 51st running of the event with 10,025 competitors and 2000+ boats. The regatta is always held on the penultimate weekend in October and is considered Rowing's Fall Classic with strong local, national, and international competition. For additional information and the complete results, check www.hocr.org.

Wellesley Lineups for the 51st Head Of The Charles Regatta:

V8: c- Alessandra Zaldivar-Giuffredi, 8-Emilia Ball, 7-Kathryn Barth, 6- Lauren Bazley, 5- Katie Livingston, 4- Anna Hakes, 3- Jocelyn Reahl, 2- Olivia Thayer , 1- Meg Roberts 

2V8: c- Stephanie Kim, 8-Nina McKee, 7- Margaret Babikian, 6- Alexandra Rondeau, 5- Sahar Ibrahim, 4- Grace Howland,  3- Sloane Rice, 2- Olivia Duggan, 1- Sally Ruderman