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Crew 2007-2008 Season in Review

Date Posted: Monday, May 12, 2008
Posting Categories: Athletics News;Crew

The Simmons College Crew team wrapped up an extraordinary fall season in 2007, and is hoping to continue that success into the spring season of 2008.

Last fall the Sharks had numerous first and second place finishes in both the varsity and novice races. The fall season is unique in Crew because it gives small Division III schools such as Simmons an opportunity to compete against Division I and II schools in addition to the competition at their level.

The Sharks proved in the fall that they could compete with anyone.

At the Textile River Regatta the Varsity 8 took home the top spot, while both the novice 8 and varsity four took second place finishes. A couple weeks later the Sharks continued their good start to the season at the New Hampshire Championship Regatta. The Novice 8 and the Open Four each took first place in their respective races, and the Novice Four grabbed a second place. The strong showing in those two races set the stage for the biggest race of the season, the Head of the Charles.

At the most prestigious Collegiate Crew race in the country, the Sharks had a weekend to remember. The Women's Collegiate Four finished in second place, earning a silver medal, the highest finish ever for Simmons at the Head of the Charles.

The Crew team received contributions from everyone on their roster during the season, and is truly a team sport that requires all four or eight rowers plus a coxswain to be successful. But head coach Nik Kurmakov, and Novice coach Naomi Rudov, point to the three captains, Rachel Franchi, Whitney Airgood, and Nicole Richards as being strong leaders that help set the tone for the program. 

The Sharks are looking for another successful season this spring, both the varsity and novice worked hard and saw some speed in the fall, and are now looking to translate that into the more important spring races.

Last spring the Sharks won the team points trophy at the New England Rowing Championships and are training for equally strong results this season.

The Sharks will travel to Florida for spring break to do some outdoor training, and will begin in New England in April in hopes of competing for another championship.