Women's Rowing Completes Another Historic Season at NCAA Championships

BETHEL, Ohio. – The Jacksonville women's rowing team completed another historic season at the NCAA Championships on Sunday.

With on and off rain showers and a slight breeze, spectators spent their time running between the big screen and the waterfront of the East Fork Lake to catch the tail end of the action.

"What a great day," said head coachMike Lane. "Although we did not accomplish all of our goals, we did make history today! Our Varsity Eight beat a boat finishing 21stin the country, which was the highest finish ever for a MAAC 1v8."

In the third and final race for the Dolphins, Jacksonville's Varsity Eight sped out of the gates facing boats from Rhode Island, Boston and SMU. Throughout much of the race, it was a battle for first. Towards the final 750 meters though, Rhode Island pulled ahead slightly, and Boston was hot on their tail. Jacksonville sat in third, with part of their bow touching BU's boat, and SMU just behind in fourth. Entering the final 100 meters or so, SMU put in one final sprint, but the Dolphins held off the Mustang comeback and became the first Varsity Eight boat in both program and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference history to beat a boat in a final at the NCAA Championships.

The Varsity Four started the day for the Dolphins at 8 am. Racing against boats from SMU, Northeastern and Rhode Island, again JU spent much of the race in the thick of it, competing for the top spot in the '4' final. As the race wore on, SMU found another gear and was able to take the top spot, with Northeastern trailing just behind. The Dolphins claimed third and beat Rhode Island, which marks the second consecutive year that the JU V4 boat has beaten a boat.

JU's Second Varsity Eight competed against Northeastern, SMU and Rhode Island in the '4' final that started at 8:16 am. Northeastern had been strong much of the weekend and won a tightly contested final over SMU by one full second. Rhode Island was just three seconds behind and the Dolphins finished in fourth to round out the weekend of racing.

"Our athletes gave everything they had," added Lane. "I could not be more proud of this team. Our seniors left a tremendous legacy for us to continue to grow."

While JU's regular season comes to a close, the program has made tremendous progress and continues to be on the rise in the women's rowing world. Three consecutive MAAC Championships and boats beaten in consecutive years has Jacksonville putting the exclamation point on another season. The Dolphins aren't quite done as they will have a quick turnaround as the prepare for the Henley Women's Regatta in England later this summer. JU's summer 'tour' includes a stop in Amsterdam where the Dolphins will row in the Netherlands before making the short journey to the River Thames in England.

"Thank you to the coaches, administration and support staff for everything they did for us and their belief in what is now the most successful year in JU women's rowing history!" said Lane.