From more than one hundred programmes spanning the continental United States, thirty-six programmes across three divisions of racing have joined together in New Jersey to crown their national champions. Today’s racing included heats for all of seven of the events plus repechages for the lower divisions, kicking off what is sure to be a phenomenal weekend on Lake Mercer.
Entering the weekend, #1 Stanford were heavy favourites, and they showed why on the opening day in New Jersey. Going three-for-three in their heats, they set the fastest times in the first eight and the four while being just a tenth of a second away from the clean sweep. The only other team to sweep their heats was #3 Washington, as Yaz Farooq once again showed that she can maximise her crews when it matters most.
Neither of the SEC’s contenders at this regatta are on the list for as-rehearsed Friday racing. For defending champions #2 Texas, it was a shock defeat to the top crew #5 Yale, who have progressed from the last time we saw them, slipping up at the Ivy League Championships two weeks ago. For #4 Tennessee, they won their heat in the first eight over #7 Rutgers, but a second place in the second eight and a third place in the four, Kim Cupini will be looking for some improvements through the weekend if they are to end up on the medal podium for the team standings on Sunday.
Across the field, nine teams are still in contention in all three boat classes. As per the above, Stanford, Texas, Washington, Tennessee, and Yale all fit that classification, though plenty more teams can meet this target. #6 Princeton won their heat in the second eight while progressing with all three crews, as did their Ivy rivals #7 Brown. From the ACC, #10 California recovered from a challenging conference championship to place all three crews in third place today, while the Big Ten’s #11 Michigan Wolverines continue to grow into the season, finishing with two third places and a second.
Missing out on the perfect progression record is the much-fancied Rutgers squad, which won their heat in the four but just 0.08 seconds separated them from an AB semifinal in the second varsity eight, as the California Golden Bears held their spot. Another big name who almost nailed their weekend were the #9 Virginia Cavaliers, with their varsity four struggling in the heat, as they did at the ACC Championships.
For the lower division crews, the preparations for tomorrow’s finals were in full swing. 2023 division two champions Humboldt won their heat in both the eight and the four, with Western Washington winning their heat in the eight and finishing second to the lumberjacks in the four.
In division three, Tufts are in the driver’s seat as the defending champions set the fastest time of the day in both eights at the division three level, while Williams won both of the other heats as the western Massachusetts programme go in search of their tenth title – but their first since 2013.
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