The William Smith rowing team finished seventh in the women’s team standings at the National Invitational Rowing Championships on Lake Quinsigamond on Sunday. The regatta featured 14 of the 15 crews ranked in the CRCA Poll.
With the postseason approaching, the NIRCs served as a tune-up for the national championship regatta later this month. William Smith’s top two boats qualified for the grand finals, while the third varsity eight competed in the petit final. Crews battled increasing headwinds throughout the day, with gusts reaching 19 mph.
In the first varsity eight competition, the Herons advanced to the grand final after placing second in their morning heat with a time of 7:19.016. William Smith raced against nationally ranked crews, including Bates, Smith, Hamilton, Rochester, and Mount Holyoke.
The first varsity eight later competed in the grand final against Bates, Williams, Tufts, Trinity, and Wellesley. The Herons posted a time of 7:24.956 to finish sixth overall.
William Smith’s second varsity eight also earned a spot in the grand final after finishing second in its morning heat with a time of 7:44.360. In the afternoon final against Tufts, Trinity, Wesleyan, Bates, and Williams, the Herons finished in 7:53.304.
The third varsity eight placed fourth in its morning heat in 7:50.978 before competing in the petit final against Wesleyan, Colby, Coast Guard, Hamilton, and Connecticut College. William Smith finished second in the petit final with a time of 8:19.984.
William Smith returns to the water May 29-31 for the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships in Gainesville, Georgia.
