Courtesy: Stanford Athletics
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Stanford women's rowing varsity eight will race for an NCAA Championship on Sunday.
The varsity eight reached the Grand Final after winning its semifinal heat at the NCAA Championships at Lake Mercer Saturday morning in New Jersey. The second varsity eight finished fifth and the varsity four finished fourth in its respective semifinal heats. Both boats will race in the Petite Final on Sunday.
Sunday's varsity eight Grand Final is set for 8:00 a.m. PT, with the second varsity eight Petite Final slated for 7:24 a.m. PT and the varsity four Petite Final scheduled for 7:00 a.m. PT.
The Cardinal's top boat came from behind to win its semifinal heat. After finding itself in second to Princeton through the first 500 meters, Stanford began to take water away from the Tigers. The Cardinal pulled level with Princeton by 750 meters and pushed its bow into the lead at the midpoint of the course. Stanford continued to charge away from the field, extending its lead to a length at the finish. Stanford completed the course in 6:15.430, ahead of second-place Michigan (6:18.150) and third-place Yale (6:18.366).
In a crowded second varsity eight A/B Semifinal heat, Stanford tried to maneuver out of its fifth place position near the midpoint of the course. The Cardinal got within two seats of Virginia, but could not take any more water away. Stanford finished the race with a time of 6:33.929, as third through fifth place (3. Wisconsin-6:30.192, 4. Princeton- 631.972) was separated by just three seconds.
The varsity four found itself in fifth place early in its semifinal heat. However, the Cardinal made a strong push, getting within three seats of Wisconsin by the midpoint of the course. Stanford (7:09.036) eventually pulled level with the Badgers and surged ahead over the final 500 meters of the course to edge Wisconsin (7:09.923) for fourth.
NCAA Championships Results
| Place |
Varsity Eight Semifinal |
Time |
| 1. |
Stanford |
6:15.430 |
| 2. |
Michigan |
6:18.150 |
| 3. |
Yale |
6:18.366 |
| 4. |
Princeton |
6:19.653 |
| 5. |
Virginia |
6:25.403 |
| 6. |
Indiana |
6:32.410 |
| Place |
Second Varsity Eight Semifinal |
Time |
| 1. |
California |
6:26.297 |
| 2. |
Michigan |
6:28.915 |
| 3. |
Wisconsin |
6:30.192 |
| 4. |
Princeton |
6:31.972 |
| 5. |
Stanford |
6:33.929 |
| 6. |
Virginia |
6:36.819 |
| Place |
Varsity Four Semifinal |
Time |
| 1. |
California |
6:58.482 |
| 2. |
Ohio State |
7:03.802 |
| 3. |
Texas |
7:04.396 |
| 4. |
Stanford |
7:09.036 |
| 5. |
Wisconsin |
7:09.932 |
| 6. |
Virginia |
7:21.699 |
Varsity Eight
Second Varsity Eight
Varsity Four