CHAMPIONS! Rowing Wins 10th Atlantic 10 Title – University of Rhode Island

KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island Rowing won its 10th Atlantic 10 Championship in program history on Saturday in thrilling fashion, with racing coming down to the final event on the Cooper River. 

The Varsity 8+ crew of coxswain Lily Stasaitis, Catie Castle, Bethany Nordstrom, Nicole Jones, Samantha Gumprecht, Cait Reardon, Emma Barnhart, Sarah Pecoraro and Bella Bruno sprinted past George Washington in the final 1000m of its race for a first-place finish (6:45.2) that lifted URI to the team title. 

Rhode Island finished with 51 points, followed by Massachusetts (46 points) and George Washington (45 points). 

The Second Varsity 8+ joined the aforementioned boat by finishing first in its event. Coxswain Ellie McGee, Jessica Tosi, Olivia Kowalski, Hailey Pardi, Sammie Gorecki, Eryn Wale, Amanda Cubit, Maia Hembruff and Emma Larsh bested second-place UMass by half a length to pick up what was the team’s first gold medals of the day. 

Rhody’s Varsity 4+ crew of coxswain Evelyn Tabor, Emily Olin, Emma Brookins, Jasmyn Hayes and Alexis Moore began the competition amongst the scoring boats with a fourth-place finish (7:55.0). The Third Varsity 8+ just missed the podium as well, crossing the line fourth (7:31.6). 

URI’s Second Varsity 4+ crew of coxswain Sawyer McNish, Irma Accius, Anna Kann, Abby Galayda and Brigid McShea placed third in its final with a time of 8:16.7 

Castle, Jones and Nordstrom earned spots on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team while Barnhart received a Second Team nod. Head coach Shelagh Donohoe won A10 Coach of the Year for the ninth time in her career.

Rhode Island has secured the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, which is being held on East Fork/Harsha Lake in Bethel, Ohio from May 31 through June 2. The Rams will learn of their seeding in the selection show, which is at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. It will stream live on NCAA.com.  

Team Standings
1. Rhode Island – 51
2. Massachusetts – 46
3. George Washington – 45
4. Fordham – 33
5. La Salle – 29
6. Saint Joseph’s – 26
7. Duqeusne – 21
8. George Mason – 11
9. Dayton – 7

Rhode Island Finals Results
Second Varsity 4+ – Grand Final
1. Massachusetts – 8:04.7
2. George Washington – 8:12.1
3. Rhode Island – 8:16.7
4. Fordham – 8:57.2
5. George Mason – 9:09.2
 
Third Varsity 8+ – Grand Final
1. Massachusetts – 7:22.8
2. George Washington – 7:25.7
3. Duquesne – 7:28.8
4. Rhode Island – 7:31.6
5. Fordham – 7:55.4
 
Varsity 4+ – Grand Final
1. Massachusetts – 7:39.6
2. Saint Joseph’s – 7:44.4
3. George Washington – 7:53.1
4. Rhode Island – 7:55.0
5. Fordham – 8:09.9
6. Duquesne – 8:19.3
 
Second Varsity 8+ – Grand Final
1. Rhode Island – 6:55.6
2. Massachusetts – 6:59.7
3. George Washington – 7:02.3
4. LaSalle – 7:09.1
5. Fordham – 7:14.6
6. Duquesne – 7:18.6
 
Varsity 8+ – Grand Final
1. Rhode Island – 6:45.2
2. George Washington – 6:49.5
3. Massachusetts – 7:00.1
4. Fordham – 7:01.8
5. LaSalle – 7:05.2
6. Saint Joseph’s – 7:12.5