Grand Qualifier Results | Petite Qualifier Results

GOLD RIVER, Calif.—The William Smith varsity eight qualified for the NCAA Division III Rowing Championship Grand Final with a strong showing in the grand qualifier at the Sacramento State Aquatics Center. The Herons are returning to the final race of the season for the first time since 2007.

Kim Goral, Liz Hafer, Libby Hughes, Claire Brown, Jess Steketee, Lauren Blake-Whitney, Tess Wiggins, Crary Chandler, and Sarah Gordon went start to finish in third place, ensuring themselves a spot in the top race. The top four finishers qualified. The Herons traversed the 2,000-meter course in 7:08.09, 0.25 seconds ahead of Williams' second varsity eight. Wellesley's varsity eight won the qualifier over Ithaca's in a time of 7:04.07.

"I don't think we had their best technical row, but we certainly were able to generate a lot of raw power," Head Coach Sandra Chu said. "We are very excited to show our best tomorrow."

In the petite qualifier, William Smith's second varsity eight put up a valiant fight, holding the fourth and final qualifying spot for most of the race, but Trinity's second varsity eight clipped them at the line to squeeze the Herons out of the championship. Christine Babcock, Christine Reighley, Maggie Smith, Laura Cappio, Alaria Pizzo, Katie Paige, Sinead Reilly, Alyssa Trebilcock, and Leila Peraro logged a time of 7:24.67. The Bantams went across the line in 7:24.28.

"I'm so proud of the way this boat raced," Chu said. "While it's disappointing to not have the race yield a spot in the Petite Final, they fought with all their hearts. From start to finish, they rowed to their potential as well as accessed a new level of excellence. The women who return to our program next year have forged new paths and set new standards for our team which will continue to drive us forward."

Bates' second varsity eight won the petite qualifier followed by the second varsity eights from Wellesley and Ithaca.

The NCAA Grand Final is scheduled for 11:20 a.m. PT (2:20 p.m. ET) on Satuday, May 28. Fans can follow the action online with live video and race splits.