Colby College's women's crew team made a significant mark in their season opener by winning the Jennifer McLaughlin Cup for the first time since 2007. Competing against strong programs including #4 Smith and #6 Wesleyan at Lake Quinsigamond, the #12 ranked Mules swept WPI and showcased their strength in the first varsity race, finishing with a time of 6:43.5. The crew, featuring athletes such as Shayna Leinberger and Ellie Pohlig, initially fell behind but demonstrated resilience to regain the lead and pull ahead of the competition, ultimately finishing with substantial margins over their rivals.
Meanwhile, the Colby men's lacrosse team faced a tough challenge against #16 Amherst in a closely contested NESCAC matchup. Despite a strong start that saw the Mules take a 5-1 lead, they ultimately fell short, losing 11-10. Tristan Bassett opened the scoring just eight seconds into the game, and Colby maintained a lead into halftime. However, the Mammoths rallied in the second half, and despite a valiant effort from Colby's offense, including contributions from Eli Chilicki and Joey Hagerty, the Mules could not secure the win.
In broader athletic news, Colby has moved up to 25th in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings, a notable rise from 36th place following successful performances in winter sports, including skiing and swimming. This ranking reflects the cumulative success of Colby's teams across various disciplines, highlighting the institution's commitment to academic and athletic excellence.