The WPI Department of Athletics is proud to continue its 2025–2026 Athletics Celebration, a daily series highlighting the top moments from each varsity program's season. The celebration will also recognize each team's Ray Cherenzia '73 Award honoree and selected programs' major award winners, as chosen by WPI Athletics' head coaches.

Top Moment: Engineers Place Fourth at NEWMAC Championships
WPI delivered a balanced championship performance on Lake Quinsigamond on April 25, placing fourth overall at the NEWMAC Championships. The varsity eight led the Engineers with a fourth-place time of 7:10.29 in a tightly contested race, finishing just over a second behind Coast Guard.

The second and third varsity eights each added fourth-place finishes as WPI totaled 30 points in the conference's automatic-qualifier standings and 18 points in the Florence Jope Smith Cup standings. Charlotte Bourne and Victoria Serrambana were selected to the All-NEWMAC Second Team following the regatta.
NEWMAC Championships Recap

Ray Cherenzia '73 Award Recipient: Sarah McCollem
Sarah McCollem was selected as the women's rowing program's recipient of the Ray Cherenzia '73 Award. The honor is presented to a member of each varsity team who exemplifies the spirit of an "unsung hero"—someone who works hard every day, puts the team first over personal goals and performs the often-unrecognized responsibilities that are vital to the team's success.

McCollem's selection recognizes the consistent effort, selflessness and character she brought to the boathouse and the Engineers' third varsity eight. Her dependable work throughout the season—including appearances at the NEWMAC Championships and the team's three runner-up finishes on April 18—reflected the team-first spirit celebrated by the award.
   
Additional Season Honors
WPI opened the year with two strong entries at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. The varsity eight placed 13th in the Women's Collegiate Eights, securing an automatic entry for the program in the 2026 event.
Head of the Charles Regatta

The Engineers produced a pair of second-place finishes at the Barbara Grant Donahue Cup and advanced crews to finals the following day against a field featuring several nationally-ranked programs.
Barbara Grant Donahue Cup
Top-10 Racing on Lake Quinsigamond

WPI followed with three runner-up finishes against No. 10 Colby, Connecticut College and Clark. The varsity, second varsity and third varsity eights all placed second on Lake Quinsigamond.
Three Runner-Up Finishes
NEWMAC Championships

The Engineers closed the competitive season against a national field at the National Invitational Rowing Championship on Lake Quinsigamond.
National Invitational Rowing Championship

The postseason brought a collection of conference and academic honors. WPI had a representative on the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team, placed 14 student-athletes on the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team and saw Bourne and Serrambana earn CSC Academic All-District recognition.
NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team
NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team
CSC Academic All-District Team

The 2025–2026 WPI Athletics Celebration will continue with features highlighting each of the Engineers' varsity programs. Follow WPI Athletics on Instagram (@wpiathletics), Facebook and X (@WPIAthletics) to keep up with the series.

Fans can also follow WPI Women's Rowing on Instagram (@wpiwomensrowing) and X (@wpiwrowing) for the latest program news and updates.