BOSTON, Mass. - The Simmons College women's crew team will compete at the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Women's Rowing Championships at 8:30 a.m. on April 25 on Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury, Mass.

The 3V8 race begins at 8:40 a.m., followed by the 2V8 at 8:50 a.m. and the 1V8 gun at 9:00 a.m.

Both the Simmons 1V8 and 2V8 shells have been recognized this season, earning NEWMAC Boat of the Week honors once each. The Sharks 1V8 won it's race at the Clark Invitational on April 12 against NEWMAC foes, Clark University and Mount Holyoke College, while the 2V8 dominated its course, also finishing ahead of Clark at the Clark Invitational on Lake Quinsigamond. The 2V8 also edged out Worcester Polytechnic Institute at the Donahue Cup the day before on the Charles River in Boston, Mass.

The Sharks 1V8 is led by Chelsea Foster (Avon, Conn.) in the stroke seat. The junior has served as the stroke for Simmons for the past two races, including the crew's first-place finish at the Clark Invitational on April 12. A NEWMAC First Team selection a year ago, Foster is very strong and should be a key to the 1V's success. First year Phoebe Knox (Scituate, Mass.) sits in the seventh seat and has good experience as a rookie collegiate rower. She has also seen time in the stroke seat. Fellow first year Ronnie Bennett (Pottstown, Pa.) is seated sixth and is a hard worker, who has competed with the top varsity eight all season. Junior Sophie Stone (Greenland, N.H.) sits in the fifth seat and will look to fulfill her potential as a three-year member of the crew squad this weekend. Nicole Poirier (Wayland, Mass.) has worked extremely hard to earn her number four seat in the 1V8. The senior is one of the most spirited rowers on the squad and is always prepared and ready to go. Erin Lilienthal (East Lyme, Conn.) is another talented first year for Simmons. An experienced oarswoman, she's strong and works very hardin the third seat. Senior Laura Matt (Fairfax Station, Va.) brings good experience to the second seat ahead of Jill Bolduc (Methuen, Mass.) on the bow. The junior was selected to the NEWMAC First Team last year and possesses a great work ethic to go with great experience. Sophomore Olivia Smiaroski (Northfield, Mass.) is solid at the coxswain for the Sharks. She has good experience and is always looking for ways to improve to help the squad.

First year Erica Bartle (Arlington, Mass.) will sit in the stroke seat for the 2V8. The rookie is an aggressive rower and has worked hard to improve the technical aspect of her performance. Eva Weber (Guilford, Conn.) sits in the seventh seat for Simmons. A very good, athlete, Weber will provide great experience to the 2V this weekend. First year Michelle Crosier (Shrewsbury, Mass.) has worked hard and is constantly looking to learn to improve and will sit in the sixth seat. First year Eleanor Pullan (Northampton, Mass.) has seen time with 1V and works hard. Has great potential and sits in the fifth seat. Jess Randolph (Concord, N.C.) made the move from coxswain to sitting in the shell as an oarswoman at seat number four. The junior has good strength and is an excellent athlete. Junior Rachel Corning (Ipswich, Mass.) is a strong rower, who will compete in the third seat for the Sharks. Classmate Abi Smith (Brookline, Mass.) has good experience and sits in the second seat. First year Karina Bercan (Derry, N.H.) is a talented rookie who will serve the crew in the bow. First year Clarice Johnson (Norwell, Mass.) made the transition to coxswain and has held her own, while looking to improve.

Simmons will also compete with a 3V8 at the NEWMAC Championships, comprised primarily of first year rowers. Alexa Frongillo (Franklin, Mass.) sits in the stroke seat, while newcomer Valarie Frost (Beaverton, Ore.) is in the seventh seat. First year Elizabeth Rea-Wilson (Concord, Mass.) sits sixth, while the shell's only upperclass rower Fernanda Tapia (Edinburg, Texas) sits fifth. Natalie Moore (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is in the fourth seat and Kate Fierlit (Hamden, Conn.) sits third. The second seat will be occupied by Wren Tenore (Rocky Hill, Conn.), while Sophie Ulyatt (Edgartown, Mass.) is in the bow seat. Emily Alpert (Marlboro, Mass.) will direct the crew from the coxswain seat.