Williams Men Win New England Rowing Championships
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It was a great day for Williams Crew. Rowers of the 1V dispatched WPI in the qualifying heat. WPI had beaten Williams earlier in the season, so the victory was encouraging. Trinity placed first in their qualifying heat and the stage was set for the final.
Trinity had also beaten Williams earlier in the season by over 4 seconds. The odds were stacked against Williams. At 5:15 the crew launched, buoyed by the success of the Novices and 2V. At 6 there would be a knife fight for first.
The red flag dropped and the crews were off into the headwind. Early on the race was solid. Trinity gained seat after seat on the field, but Williams stuck to the race plan. Williams and Trinity both took moves around the thousand-meter mark.
Going into the last 500 meters Williams was down by 5 seats to Trinity. Hundreds of parents and rowers were shouting. In a final heroic sprint Williams managed to row through their rivals. Williams had won by 6/10ths of a second.
Williams was ecstatic in victory, but also wary of the tight margin. Trinity proved that they were more than worthy rivals. Williams won New England’s last year for the first time in around a decade. Coach Peter Wells (1979 alumnus) has done a great job preparing the crew this year.
Earlier on in the day the 3VM4+ performed admirably. They beat Tufts and had a great experience. The MN8+ won their heat handily but fell to Trinity by 12 seconds. Trinity was pushed heavily by the 2V. In a great race, Williams only came in 7 seconds behind. Williams 2V beat Bates after losing to them the past week on their home course.
Combined with the results from Williams women, Williams College proved that it had the best crews of comparable schools in New England.
Next Sunday, May 9 the crew will compete in the ECAC-National Invitational Rowing Championships. Trinity and Michigan will be the most difficult competition for the Ephs, but fierce competitors will also join the fray.
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