Crew Takes Second at Seven Sisters Regatta

BOSTON, Mass. (Oct. 24, 2009) – The Mount Holyoke College women’s crew team took home second place at the 23rd annual Seven Sisters Championship Regatta today in Boston, Mass. Host Wellesley College secured top honors at the event, which took place on the Charles River. It was the Blue’s second overall title and their first since 2001, when they shared the honor with Smith College.

After ending the day in a deadlock atop the standings with Mount Holyoke at 22 points, Wellesley was declared champion by virtue of a better finish in the first varsity race. The Lyons entered the competition as the two time reigning champions. Simmons College (20), Smith (19) and Bryn Mawr (1) rounded out the field.

Representing Mount Holyoke on the All-Regatta team were seniors Jessica Suhowatsky and Caitlin Parsley. The duo was joined by Kate Spelman (Wellesley), Holly Jones (Wellesley), Gaby Wakeman (Wellesley), Amanda Taylor (Simmons), Caitlin Britton (Simmons), Mo Collins (Smith) and Eileen Downs (Bryn Mawr).

Simmons grabbed top honors in the first varsity eight race with a time of 15:27. Rounding out the field were Smith (15:32), Wellesley (15:44), Mount Holyoke (16:10) and Bryn Mawr (16:15). The Lyons crossed the line in 15:30 but sustained a 40 second penalty for missing a buoy.

Just four seconds separated the first four boats in the second varsity eight race. Mount Holyoke and Smith tied for first with a time of 16:22. They edged out Simmons (16:23) and Wellesley (16:26). Bryn Mawr took fifth, while Mount Holyoke and Smith’s third varsity boats rounded out the event with sixth and seventh place finishes, respectively.

In the first novice eight race, Wellesley (16:55), Mount Holyoke (16:57) and Simmons (17:21) made up the top three.

The second varsity eight race played out similarly, as the order of finish was Wellesley (17:44), Mount Holyoke (18:03) and Simmons (18:44) in the top three spots. Mount Holyoke again crossed the line first but was docked 20 seconds for missing a buoy.

The Lyons have now completed the fall portion of their 2009-10 slate. They will resume their schedule in the spring.