Lyons' second varsity eight beats four boats in Third Level Final at NIRC's

Mount Holyoke's second varsity eight finished second out of six boats in the Third Level Final of the National Invitational Rowing Championships on May 11, 2025. (RJB Sports file photo)

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Mount Holyoke rowing team's first and second varsity eights combined to outrace seven boats over four races on Sunday at the National Invitational Rowing Championships, highlighted by the Lyons 2V8's second-place finish in its Third Level Final.

Mount Holyoke's first varsity eight reached the Third Level Final after placing fifth out of six boats in its preliminary heat, edging St. Lawrence University 7:15.894 to 7:17.412. The first six boats in morning heats advance to the Grand Final; the next six boats compete in the Petite Final, and the six after that race in the Third Level Final.

Coxswained by senior Jen Butler (Knoxville, Tenn.), the Lyons 1V8 cut its time to 7:10.940 in Sunday afternoon's Third Level Final, this time beating St. Lawrence by more than 10 seconds for fifth place among six boats. Coast Guard (6:52.762) placed first in the race, followed by Colby, Rochester, and Connecticut College (7:05.086).

The Mount Holyoke 2V8, coxswained by junior Sarah Plotkin (Duxbury, Mass.) also placed fifth among six boats in its morning heat, moving on to the Third Level Final after outpacing Clark 7:26.550 to 7:39.919, with Ithaca (7:09.807) in fourth.

The Lyons took second place among six boats in the Third Level Final, covering the course in 7:23.612 to lose only to Skidmore (7:14.487). Trailing Mount Holyoke in the race were Connecticut College (7:35.551), Clark, Rochester and St. Lawrence.

Mount Holyoke also fielded a varsity four at the regatta. Coxswained by senior Miranda Hull (Baltimore, Md.), the four took fifth place out of five in its morning heat. In the Petite Final, MHC's four took third place in 8:59.714, outpacing Mass Maritime (9:35.298), with Skidmore (8:20.303) taking first place.

Mount Holyoke Lineups (from Apr. 26):
1V8
Cox: Jen Butler; Stroke: Katrina Holbrook; 7: Gwyn Munroe; 6: Elsa Kulatunga; 5: Lilla Carroll; 4: Jill Slatch; 3: Gwen Werth; 2: Delfina Incani; Bow: Giuliana de la Incera.
2V8
Cox: Sarah Plotkin; Stroke: Adee Cooper; 7: Jet Davis; 6: Ava Garland; 5: Jordan Cutler; 4: Josie Capps; 3: Wilsie Ferris; 2: Audrey Hanan; Bow: Lilje Stratton.
1V4
Cox: Miranda Hull; Stroke: Clay Halpern; 3: Maire Kettner; 2: Lillie McCormick; Bow: Holly Wrampelmeier.