Under the guidance of second year head coach Seth Hussey, the Mount Holyoke rowing team had a solid season, competing in nine events during the 2018-19 campaign as well as earning the program's first national ranking in a number of years.
Following a gear-up race at the Green Mountain Head Race to open the season, the Lyons were back in action at the Hadley Chase on the Connecticut River. Four boats were in action for MHC, paced by a third-place finish from the novice eight crew. The Lyons went on to earn third overall at the Seven Sisters Regatta. MHC's novice eight earned the win in their event, while the second varsity eight took sixth. Rounding out the efforts was the varsity eight in fourth. Representing the Lyons on the All-Regatta Team were juniors Hannah LeBlanc and Elizabeth Hazen, along with first year Jocelyn Greer.
The Lyons scrimmaged Purdue and the University of Vermont in spring training action, but came home from South Carolina to have its first race at Amherst cancelled due to river conditions. MHC started back up on April 7 as it headed to Lake Quinsigamond to battle five teams, three of which were among the to-13 ranked in the nation for Division III.
Mount Holyoke's varsity eight boat advanced to the Grand Final, posting third, which included a win over #13 Washington College. The second varsity eight was fourth in their Grand Final. That race propelled the Lyons into the National rankings as they debuted at #15 for their next weekend of action.
It was a clean sweep for the Lyons as they won all three of their races in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four against Clark, Simmons and the University of Rochester. MHC then took on Assumption and Coast Guard the following weekend as the varsity eight and varsity four earned victories, while the second varsity eight was second overall.
Next up was the NEWMAC Championships, where the Lyons had a solid performance against four other nationally-ranked crews. MHC finished fourth overall behind All-Conference Second Team efforts from Hazen and LeBlanc. The Lyons, who then moved up to #14 nationally, then traveled back to Worcester for the New England Championships. The V8 crew placed sixth overall in the Petite Final, while the second V8 boat also went on to compete in the Third Final, securing a victory.
Mount Holyoke hit the water at Lake Quinsigamond for the final time of the 2018-19 season on May 12th at the National Invitational Rowing Championship. The V8 crew advanced to the Third Final, placing second overall, while the second varsity eight also made it to the Third Final for fourth overall.
The Lyons also saw 12 student-athletes earn spring NEWMAC Academic All-Conference honors, while first year coxswain Jaya Nagarajan-Swenson was tabbed to the the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
