Selection Show Reaction Video
Championship Info
Schedule of Events
Venue Info
Directions to Lake Mercer
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ITHACA, N.Y. – For just the second time since the NCAA began to hold a championship in women's rowing in 1997, the Cornell Big Red has earned a spot in the field, being named one of the 16 teams selected to vie for a national championship Memorial Day weekend on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J. Racing commences on Friday, May 25 with heats beginning at 9 a.m., and concludes on Sunday, May 27 with the Eights Grand Final at 12:05 p.m.
“We are thrilled to be going to NCAAs this year,” said Hilary Gehman, the Staley Head Coach of Women's Rowing. “This is the culmination of many years of hard work and it's a testament to the strength and depth of our program that we've been selected to compete at the NCAA championships. We are proud and honored to represent Cornell and our strong women's rowing tradition.”
After putting together a strong season and building a solid resume, the Big Red all but sealed an at-large bid after a stellar performance at the inaugural Ivy League Championship, with the Varsity 8 placing second to Radcliffe and edging out the pre-race favorites, Princeton. Cornell finished fourth overall as a team at the Ivy Championship, narrowly missing third place by a single point, and the team ranks second overall in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The Varsity 8 will compete in the Heat 2 against Michigan, Southern California, UCLA and Michigan State.
The Second Varsity 8 will compete in Heat 3 against Ohio State, Princeton, Harvard, Washington and Michigan State.
The Varsity 4 will compete in Heat 1 against Cal, Harvard, Princeton and Michigan State.
Cornell's only other appearance at the NCAA women's rowing championships came in 2002, when the Varsity 8 crew received an at-large bid and finished 14th under the direction of Melanie Onufrieff. In 2002, only the Varsity 8 competed. This will be the first time the Big Red will compete as a team.
In 1989, the Big Red won Nationals, a precursor to the NCAA Championship, and medaled four other times with two silvers (1991, 1992) and two bronzes (1990, 1993). Cornell also won the IRA in 1995, placed second in 1994 and took third in 1996.
