Posted: Apr 28, 2022

Wellesley's Spillane Named Co-Coach of the Year and Ball Earns Rower of the Year Honor

Katie Ball '22 (left) and Tessa Spillane (right) earn NEWMAC Rowing Postseason Awards (Frank Poulin Photography)

WESTWOOD, Mass – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced the 2022 Postseason Rowing Awards on Thursday after the Blue captured its tenth conference title. Wellesley head coach Tessa Spillane was named the Co-Coach of the Year and senior Katie Ball (Hanover, N.H.) earned the Rower of the Year honor.

Spillane earned the Co-Coach of the Year accolade for the eighth time in her career. She led the Blue to both the NEWMAC Championship, its ninth in ten years, and the Florence Jope Smith Cup which is awarded to the school with the highest number of points from the overall results at the NEWMAC Championships. Clark head coach Michael McDonald was also named Co-Coach of the Year for the first time in his career.

Ball claimed the Rower of the Year honor award after leading the Wellesley Varsity Eight to a 6.40.300 first place finish at the NEWMAC Championships. Joining Ball in the 2022 NEWMAC Rowing All-Conference team was senior Olivia Gorman (Bristol, Conn.) and first year Anya Hanitchak (Andover, Mass.).

The Blue are back on the water this Saturday for the New England Rowing Championships on Lake Quinsigamond starting at 8:00 AM.