The eighth-ranked William Smith rowing team will be back in action on Sunday, May 10, when it heads to Lake Quinsigamond for the National Invitational Rowing Championships. Racing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
 
The Herons are fresh off a Liberty League Championship. William Smith won gold medals in all three varsity eight races, including a 10-second victory in the 1V8 race that clinched the conference crown. The 1V was powered by Lizzy Whitney, Linnea Darius, Kate Abdalla, Raya Schwartz, Alessandra Gialanella, Aubrey Ryan, Eden Grim, Leah Wiebe and Meghan Bartholomay.
 
This weekend's racing will feature 14 of the 15 crews ranked in this week's CRCA Poll.
 
The Herons' third varsity eight will be on the water first, competing in heat one at 9 a.m. William Smith is scheduled to race, Tufts, Wellesley, Hamilton, Ithaca and Connecticut College. In the 3V8 races, the top three finishers in each heat advance to the grand final and the other three boats progress to the petite final.
 
The first and second varsity eight races will feature three heats. The top two boats in each heat advance to the grand final, the third and fourth place finishers will race in the petite final and the rest will compete in the third level final.
 
William Smith's varsity eight will be on the water at 10:50 a.m. The Herons will take on No. 2 Bates, No. 5 Smith, No. 11 Hamilton, No. 13 Rochester and Mount Holyoke. The Herons' second varsity eight will be on the water at 9:50 a.m. William Smith will take on Tufts, Smith, Rochester, Connecticut College and St. Lawrence.
 
Last year, the Herons were sixth in the women's point trophy competition. William Smith was seventh in the varsity and second varsity eights and ninth in the third varsity race.