NORTHAMPTON - Smith College rising junior Nadia Grinyuk (Scarborough, Maine) and recent Wellesley College graduate Hannah Bates (Fair haven, N.J.) have been selected to the 2026 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) All-America Second Team.

Bates helped lead the Blue to the NCAA Division III Championship this year and rowed in the Varsity Eight (V8+) boat at the championship in Gainesville, Ga. Bates also guided Blue Crew to a NEWMAC Conference title, the third in her four years with the team.

Grinyuk capped her sophomore campaign by representing the Bears at the National Invitational Rowing Championship, New England Rowing Championships, and NEWMAC Championships after helping the Varsity 8 to a fifth-place finish at the Head of the Charles. Grinyuk was named the 2026 NEWMAC Rower of the Year and to the All-Conference First Team following the Bears' runner-up performance at the conference championship race.

Each year, the coaches of the CRCA recognize the outstanding student-athletes in each Division. Student-athletes must have rowed at least 75% of the season's races in the varsity boat and be nominated by the institution. Criteria considered for selection also include: boat performance, nomination rank, coach's comments, individual achievements, and 2k erg score.

About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.