WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Simmons College Second Varsity Eight crew squad finished first against Clark University and Mount Holyoke College this morning on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. to lead the crew team. The One Varsity Eight placed second for the Sharks, behind University of Rochester.
The Sharks raced on Lake Quinsigamond for the second straight day and their Second Varsity Eight posted a time of 7:49.2 on the 2,000 meter course to finish ahead of Clark's mark of 8:13.7. Mount Holyoke was right behind the Cougars with a time of 8:15.9. The Simmons 2V8's lineup was nearly identical from the previous day with sophomore Ally Fecteau (Burlington, Conn.) taking over in the coxswain seat. Senior Elsbeth Colson (Everett, Mass.) returned in the stroke position ahead of junior Madison Summers (Hudson, N.H.), first year Steffi Gaehde (Brookline, Mass.) and junior Christine Yu (Plainville, Mass.) with first year Elaine Nolan (West Bridgewater, Mass.) joining the shell in the four seat ahead of sophomore Rebecca Ramsey (Jefferson, Mass.), junior Nicole Lee (North Reading, Mass.) and sophomore bow Chloe Feuerstein (Winchester, Mass.).
The 1V8 nearly made it a double-win for the Sharks, finishing just over a second behind Rochester's time of 7:12.6 with a mark of 7:13.7. Mount Holyoke was just a half second behind at 7:14.2 to put all three shells within two seconds of one another. The Simmons Varsity Eight comprised of the same lineup as the day before with with first year Eleanor Thidemann (Belmont, Mass.) serving as a the stroke again, followed by first year Samantha Kelsey (Salt Lake City, Utah), senior Ronnie Bennett (Pottstown, Pa.), sophomores Sabrina Belozerova (Newton, Mass.), Peizhu Pam Qian (Beijing, China), Emily Saunders (Hebron, Conn.), Hannah Dike (Leominster, Mass.) and first year bow Caroline Granitur (Vero Beach, Fla.). Senior coxswain Clarice Johnson (Norwell, Mass.) was tapped for the coxswain spot for the shell.
The Sharks will race again on Saturday, April 28 when they compete in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Championship on Lake Quinsigamond.