Under the guidance of first year head coach Seth Hussey, the Mount Holyoke rowing team had a solid season, competing in 11 events during the 2017-18 campaign.
The Lyons opened up the fall slate with a strong performance at the Quinsigamond Snake Regatta in Worcester, turning in their highest finish in the varsity four since the 2014-15 season. The crew took sixth overall in a field of 22 boats with a time of 17:38.426. The event also included two other MHC varsity four boats. The Lyons returned to action the next weekend at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, which saw the varsity eight finish 24th overall in the field with a time of 18:27.714.
Mount Holyoke was right back on the Charles River the following weekend, competing at the Seven Sisters Championship to conclude the month of October. The Lyons took fourth overall as the varsity eight was fourth in its race with a time of 13:07.7. MHC also saw its novice eight post fourth (14:01.1), while in the second novice eight, the Lyons were second (15:13.9). Representing the Lyons on the All-Regatta Team were seniors Ariya Lawson, Sophie Rabinow and first year Paloma Cruz.
To begin March, Mount Holyoke competed in an exhibition race at Clemson, before heading to the Connecticut River at Amherst for a non-team scoring event. The second V8 boat was fourth, while the V8 boat took third overall.
Mount Holyoke returned to the water on April 8, beginning a stretch of races on Lake Quinsigamond, this time against some of the strongest competition in the nation. The Lyons saw its varsity eight win in the Petite Final, which also featured Simmons, Pacific Lutheran, Hamilton, WPI and Bates – the 2018 NCAA Division III champion. The performance earned the Lyons varisty eight the NEWMAC Boat of the Week honors.
Mount Holyoke had a strong performance against Clark, Simmons and the University of Rochester the following weekend and then took on Assumption and Coast Guard on April 21st as the Lyons took third overall.
Next up was the NEWMAC Championships, where the Lyons had a solid performance, placing sixth behind All-Conference Second Team efforts from senior captain Ariya Lawson and sophomore Elizabeth Hazen. The Lyons then traveled back to Worcester for the New England Championships. The V8 crew placed fourth overall in the Third Final, while the second V8 boat also went on to compete in the Third Final, securing a fourth place finish.
Mount Holyoke hit the water at Lake Quinsigamond for the final time of the 2017-18 season on May 11th at the National Invitational Rowing Championship. The V8 crew advanced to the Third Final, placing sixth overall, while the second varsity eight also made it to the Third Final for fifth overall.
The Lyons also saw seven student-athletes earn spring NEWMAC Academic All-Conference honors, while seven others garnered NIRC All-Academic recognition. Additionally, sophomore Mira Rosenkotz was named to the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team
- NEWMAC Boat of the Week Honors (4/9)
- Seven named to Academic All-Conference
- Fourth at Seven Sisters Championship
- Sixth at NEWMAC Championships
- Two named to NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team
- Seven named to NIRC All-Academic Team