While most teams are locking in final changes and fine-tuning their strokes ahead of taper week, the SEC lit up Oak Ridge.
SEC Championships, Oak Ridge, TN
To no one’s surprise, it was Texas, currently ranked #2 in the CRCA Coaches’ Poll, that claimed the SEC title for the 10th consecutive year, securing the conference’s Automatic Qualifier for the upcoming NCAA Championship. In classic Longhorn fashion, the Texas Varsity 8+ sat confidently behind early frontrunner Tennessee, letting the Vols burn early. However, Texas methodically walked back through the field, eventually crossing the line three seconds clear, nearly a full length ahead.
it was #4 Tennessee that interrupted the dominance in the Second Varsity 8+, taking a narrow win of 1.5 seconds over the Longhorns in one of the most exciting races of the day. It was a statement of speed from the Vols, who continue to build momentum toward the ultimate NCAAs. Both Texas and Tennessee will continue to be on the hunt as they fine-tune lineups and speed.
Following Texas and Tennessee were #24 Oklahoma and an unranked Alabama, both making their case for an at-large bid.
NESCAC (DIII)
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, the powerhouse programs of Division III met for the NESCAC Championship, a key stop on the road to the NCAA DIII Championship. #1 Tufts narrowly ended victorious over #3 Williams and #5 Wesleyan, a second straight NESCAC win. Tufts has earned the AQ to the DIII Championship.
Next Up:
Conference championships continue across the country this weekend, with titles on the line at the Big Ten Championships in Indianapolis, the Ivy League Championships in Pennsauken, NJ, the ACCs, also in Oak Ridge, and many more.
Automatic Qualifiers for the NCAA Division I and Division III Championships will be decided, and the final picture will begin to take shape ahead of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships, which will take place May 30–June 1 in West Windsor, New Jersey. The famed Selection Show will air Tuesday, May 20th at 5 p.m. EDT on NCAA.com, revealing the full field of qualifiers following next weekend’s conference championships.
