WORCESTER, Mass. -- The fifth-ranked Ephs raced at Lake Quinsigamond to defend the Donahue Cup against No. 10 WPI, Simmons, Franklin & Marshall and Connecticut College. The Ephs hit the water ready to take advantage of calm rowing conditions.
The Williams 1V eight opened the day of racing. Despite having a tough finish last weekend this crew was ready to race. Pulling away from the field off the start the Ephs held their lead all the way through the finish. Williams finished with a time of 6:40.70, six seconds ahead of WPI, with the rest of the field finishing farther behind these two crews.
"The varsity had a race that we are proud of, with a very powerful starting 500m and a solid middle of the race," 1V coxswain Anna Hopkins stated. "We have gained speed already since the start of our season and look forward to getting even faster and racing more!"
Next to hit the race course was the women's 2V. Following a rocky start, the crew was able to pull together and step away from all the other crews. The Ephs finished 11 seconds ahead of WPI with a time of 7:02.50.
Next to race was the Williams 3V. This crew attacked the piece and was prepared for a fight. They maintained contact with other boats in the field until over half way when WPI surged forward. WPI finished first with a time of 7:16.80 ahead of second place Williams with a time of 7:27.28 who finished over 30 seconds ahead of Simmons.
Closing out a beautiful day of racing, the freshman hit the water with bursting energy. Finishing first with a time of 7:20.30, the Williams Novice 8 was 15 seconds ahead of second-place crew Connecticut College.
