Williams Crew Teams Take Little Three Titles
PITTSFIELD — The Williams College crew teams dominated in their first home regatta of the spring season on Saturday, taking wins by wide margins in every event they entered and the Little Three titles.With uncharacteristically calm water at Lake Onota and beautiful spring weather, both men's and women's teams capitalized on the conditions and made short work of their opponents. Amherst, Wesleyan, and host school Williams compete each year for the Little Three title and this year, the University of Vermont was added to the regatta for some additional competition.
Women's Team
The 1V and 2V boats competed in the women's varsity eight raced together, taking first and second, just 10 seconds apart, to soundly defeat Wesleyan and UVM. The first varsity eight made the most of the racing conditions and crossed the line in 6:52.2, one of the fastest times the coaching staff has seen in years for a women’s crew on this lake.
The second varsity boat finished over a length behind the 1V in 7:02.3 and twelve seconds ahead of the third-place Wesleyan crew (7:14.1). The University of Vermont was 4th in 7:18.6. Amherst did not race a varsity eight.
The 3V competed in the women's second varsity eight event and took an open water win on Vermont. After moving ahead early, the 3V boat held their lead and finished in 7:18.3. UVM crossed the line in 7:29.7, eleven seconds later. Wesleyan and Amherst did not enter this event.
The Williams novice boat took the most commanding win of the day, defeating its lone competitor, UVM, by multiple lengths of open water. Their time of 7:27.2 was more than enough for a 45 second victory. UVM took second in 8:13.2.
In the varsity and novice four events, Williams took wins across the board. The women’s varsity four event featured a Williams A and B boat with rowers from the 1V and 2V, respectively. Williams A took the win in 7:47.8, with Williams B in second place with 8:07.6. Amherst was third in 8:15.6 with Wesleyan fourth in 8:44.9.
In the second varsity four event, rowers from the Williams 3V took a thirty second win over Amherst, stopping the clock at 8:03. The novice four posted a fast time of 8:05.2, to easily defeat Amherst A (8:55.9) and Amherst B (9:34.5).
For complete women's results, click here.
Men's Team
The men's crew won every race they entered on their way to the Little Three title.
The regatta was billed as a tight matchup between the powerful Williams 1V and defending Little Three champion, Wesleyan. With perfect racing conditions, flat water, and minimal wind, the men's 1V made a statement with their victory and reclaimed the Saratoga Oar.
The men started the race with a strong start sequence that pushed them ahead by several seats. Through the 1,000-meter mark they managed to gain several more, but it was the third 500 meters of the race where they finally separated themselves from the Wesleyan crew and went on to take an open water victory with a time of 6:07.9. Wesleyan finished five seconds back in 6:12.9.
By virtue of their strong performances this spring, the novice men raced in the second varsity event as the Williams 2V and came away with a win over the Wesleyan 2V. The novice men defeated Wesleyan by several lengths of open water to cross the line in 6:17.7, with Wesleyan in second in 6:33.9.
In the 3V event, the Williams 2V, racing as Williams A, took the win over Wesleyan, the Williams 3V, racing as Williams B, and Vermont. The 2V pulled away to take the victory in 6:25.7, while the 3V battled it out with Wesleyan and settled for third with a time of 6:37.9, a length behind the second place Wesleyan crew (6:33.1). Vermont was fourth in 6:53.1.
Williams entered two novice fours in the men's novice four event, the most subscribed event of the day, and came away with the top two spots. The first Williams boat crossed the line in 7:05.8, with the next Williams boat finishing in 7:13.2. UVM A finished five seconds back to take third in 7:18.5, while UVM B and Amherst finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Williams did not race any varsity fours.
For complete men's results, click here.
Williams will remain at Lake Onota next weekend to host Bates, Marist, Ithaca and USCGA on April 26 for their final home regatta and last race before the New England Championships. The men will also host Tufts.
