The sixth-ranked William Smith rowing team will be one of eight teams competing in the 2026 NCAA Division III Rowing Championships this weekend in Gainesville, Georgia.
The two-day regatta begins Friday at Lake Lanier Olympic Park and features the top Division III programs in the country, including top-ranked Bates, second-ranked Williams, third-ranked Tufts, fourth-ranked Trinity, fifth-ranked Wellesley, Catholic, and Puget Sound.
William Smith earned one of four automatic bids to the national championship after winning the Liberty League Championship earlier this month. The Herons swept the varsity eight races to secure their 10th conference title.
The Herons’ second varsity eight crew will compete in the opening event Friday morning at 8:12 in Heat One against Tufts, Bates, and Catholic. The varsity eight crew will race at 8:48 against Williams, Tufts, and Puget Sound.
The top two finishers in each heat advance directly to Saturday’s grand finals, while the remaining crews will compete in repechage races Friday afternoon for a spot in the championship field.
This marks William Smith’s eighth appearance at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships and its first since 2016. The Herons’ best finish came in 2002 when they placed third nationally.
