Crew Takes Fourth at NEWMAC Championships

WORCESTER, Mass. (April 17, 2010) – For the second year in a row, Smith College captured the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Women’s Rowing Championship this morning at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass.

The Pioneers varsity eight took home the title with a first place time of 6:59.8. The Pioneers edged out Wellesley College by just three tenths of a second to claim their third title in the last six years and their sixth overall. Rounding out the six boat field were the Coast Guard Academy, Mount Holyoke College, WPI and Clark University.

A margin of only ten points separated the top three finishers in the competition for the Florence Jope Smith Cup, which was awarded to the team with the highest number of points in the overall competition. Smith captured the Cup for the second straight year and the eighth time overall with its final tally of 28 points. The Pioneers were followed by Wellesley (24) and Mount Holyoke (18) in the top three.

In addition to its win in the varsity eight race, Smith also took first in the novice eight (7:24.3) and the third varsity eight (7:44.9) competitions. Wellesley claimed the title in the second varsity eight (7:11.0). Mount Holyoke crossed the line second in both the novice eight and the second varsity eight events.

The 2010 NEWMAC All-Conference Teams were announced at the conclusion of the event. Representing Mount Holyoke on the varsity squad were first year Clare Enright and junior Cleo Schneider. They were joined by Rachel Goldin (Clark), Katy Nowoswiat (Clark), Kelli Normoyle (Coast Guard), Rachel Thomas (Coast Guard), Gabriela Kubik (Smith), Dana Lindsay (Smith), Hannah Dornbusch (Wellesley), Kate Spelman (Wellesley), Bridget Stevens (WPI) and Victoria Stutz (WPI).

Mount Holyoke first year Minuri Amarasuriya earned novice team accolades. Other members of the squad were Katie Brasington (Clark), Jessica Ward (Coast Guard), Adelaide Gordon (Smith), Aidan Chambers (Wellesley) and Amy Loomis (WPI).

The Lyons will be off until Saturday, May 1, when they compete in the New England Rowing Championships at Lake Quinsigamond.

2010 NEWMAC Women’s Rowing Championship

Novice 8
1. Smith College (7:24.3) – 6 points
2. Mount Holyoke (7:38.3) – 4 points
3. Wellesley College (7:45.1) – 2 points

3 – Varsity 8
1. Smith College (7:44.9) – 6 points
2. Wellesley (8:15.7) – 4 points
3. Mount Holyoke (8:23.5) – 2 points

2 – Varsity 8
1. Wellesley College (7:11.0) – 8 points
2. Mount Holyoke (7:12.5) – 6 points
3. Smith College (7:18.08) – 4 points
4. Coast Guard (7:35.4) – 2 points

1 – Varsity 8
1. Smith College (6:59.8) – 12 points
2. Wellesley College (7:00.1) – 10 points
3. Coast Guard – 8 points
4. Mount Holyoke College – 6 points
5. WPI – 4 points
6. Clark – 2 points

Florence Cup
1. Smith College – 28 points
2. Wellesley – 24 points
3. Mount Holyoke – 18 points
4. Coast Guard – 10 points
5. WPI – 4 points
6. Clark – 2 points