WORCESTER, Mass. (Apr. 16, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College crew team grabbed fourth place at the NEWMAC Championship this morning on Lake Quinsigamond. Wellesley College claimed top honors at the event for the first time since 2003. The Blue crossed the line first in both the varsity eight and novice eight races.

Mount Holyoke's most outstanding performance of the day came from its first novice eight boat, which grabbed second place in its race with a time of 7:50.3. The Lyons finished just over 17 seconds off the pace set by Wellesley (7:33.1).

Wellesley used a strong push in the final 500 meters of the first varsity eight race to edge the Coast Guard Academy in thrilling fashion. The Blue (7:11.6) finished just half a second in front of the Bears (7:12.1). Rounding out the field were Smith College (7:21.9), WPI (7:23.5), Mount Holyoke (7:27.0) and Clark University (8:12.9).

In addition to its first place finish in the varsity eight race, Wellesley won the Florence Jope Smith Cup, which is awarded to the program with the most overall points in the day's races. It was the just the second time, and first since 2008, that the Blue captured the cup. They accumulated 36 points on the day to finish in front of Smith (32), Coast Guard (20), Mount Holyoke (18), WPI (16) and Clark (4).

Defending champion Smith won a pair of races and finished second in this year's quest for the cup. The Pioneers took home first in the second varsity eight (7:32.0) and third varsity eight (7:59.9) races. Mount Holyoke boats posted time of 7:55.2 and 8:34.8 in those events.

The 2011 NEWMAC All-Conference Teams were announced at the conclusion of the day. Representing Mount Holyoke on the varsity squad were seniors Robyn Kranzler and Cleo Schneider. They were joined by Stella Doughty and Ann Rokosky of Clark, Holly Madden and Sarah Jane Otey of Coast Guard, Chelsea Andrews, Gabriela Kubick, Caroline Dodge and Shernaz Dossabhoy of Wellesley, and Suzanna Kelley and Amy Loomis of WPI.

Mount Holyoke first year Kirsten Therrien earned novice team accolades. Other members of the squad were Gina Jenkins of Clark, Catherine Durand of Coast Guard, Marissa Buie of Smith, Rachel Reed of Wellesley and Gabrielle Demac of WPI.

The Lyons will be off until Saturday, April 30, when they compete in the New England Rowing Championships at Lake Quinsigamond.

2011 NEWMAC Women's Rowing Championship

Novice 8
1. Wellesley – 7:33.1
2. Mount Holyoke – 7:50.3
3. Smith – 7 59.6
4. Coast Guard – 8 11.2
5. WPI – 8:23.3
6. Clark – 9:48.2

3 – Varsity 8
1. Smith – 7:59.9
2. Wellesley – 8:26.6
3. Mount Holyoke – 8:34.8

2 – Varsity 8
1. Smith – 7:32.0
2. Wellesley – 7:38.9
3. WPI – 7:48.4
4. Coast Guard – 7:52.8
5. Mount Holyoke – 7:55.2

1 – Varsity 8
1. Wellesley – 7:11.6
2. Coast Guard – 7:12.1
3. Smith – 7:21.9
4. WPI – 7:23.5
5. Mount Holyoke – 7:27.0
6. Clark – 8:12.9

Florence Cup
1. Wellesley – 36 points
2. Smith – 32 points
3. Coast Guard – 20 points
4. Mount Holyoke – 18 points
5. WPI – 16 points
6. Clark – 4 points