CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM | SCHEDULE | LIVE RESULTS
ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2024 Rowing Championships are set for Friday, May 3 at Fish Creek’s 2,000 meter course at Saratoga Lake in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Union College is this year’s host and the regatta gets underway at 9 AM.
Seven Liberty League institutions sponsor rowing—Union, Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of Rochester, St. Lawrence University, Skidmore College, William Smith College, and St. John Fisher (associate member). All eight schools will meet in Saratoga for the championships.
ABOUT THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
In women’s rowing, Ithaca is primed to claim its sixth consecutive Liberty League title while William Smith is on the hunt for its first title since winning six in a row from 2011 through 2016. RIT is seeking its first title since 2017 while Rochester, St. Lawrence, St. John Fisher, Skidmore, and Union are looking to claim their first ever.
At the 2023 championship, the Bombers posted victories in the three races they were entered: Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, and Novice Four. Ithaca’s varsity eight boat won the first heat (6:58.98) of the day and followed it up with a seven second victory in the grand final, crossing the finish line in 6:51.78 against five other boats. Skidmore recorded its highest finish at the championship with a runner-up showing (6:59.44) in the V8+, finishing the course in just under seven minutes. RIT rounded out the top-three teams with a time of 7:04.86; the Tigers were followed by Rochester (7:11.49), William Smith (7:24.08), and St. Lawrence (7:28.20).
In the 2023 second varsity eight race, a mix of 2V8+ and 3V8+ crews saw the Bombers’ 2V8+ finish first with a six second margin of victory (7:12.35) while the 3V8+ was third overall at 7:20.13. William Smith was the runner-up, recording a time of 7:12.35. The Varsity Four was a two-team duel with Rochester (8:37.44) defeating St. John Fisher (8:55.52). The Novice Four was also held at last year’s championship with Ithaca (8:18.91) ahead of St. Lawrence and Rochester.
In the most recent Pocock Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Division III poll (May 1), Ithaca checks in at a league-best No. 6. William Smith and RIT are also among the top-15 at No. 13 and No. 14 respectively.
With eight teams entered in the Women’s Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight, there will be four heats to open the championships (two per event). In the V8+ race, Ithaca, RIT, Rochester, and Union will face off at 9:00 AM. The second heat will follow at 9:10 AM—Skidmore, St. John Fisher, St. Lawrence, and William Smith will race. The V8+ Petit Final (2 boats) and Final (6 boats) will take place towards the end of the regatta, scheduled for 10:50 AM and 11:00 AM starts.
As for the 2V8+, Ithaca, Rochester, Skidmore, and St. Lawrence are set for the first heat (9:20 AM; third event of the day). RIT, St. John Fisher, Union, and William Smith will compete in the second heat (9:30 AM; fourth event of the day). The petit final will be at 11:10 AM and the final is slated for 11:20 AM.
Both finals will have the winners of the heats and the next four fastest times while two teams (seventh and eighth overall from the heats) compete in the petit final. The women’s Third Varsity Eight, Varsity Four, and Novice Eight races will also be held on Friday. The 3V8+ will take place at 10:00 AM, the V4+ is set for 10:10 AM, and the NV8+ is scheduled for 10:30 AM.
ABOUT THE MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Ithaca is also a strong contender for the 2024 title on the men’s side as the Bombers are featured in both the IRCA/IRA Men’s D3 Varsity 8+ and 2nd Varsity 8+ polls (May 1). In the V8+ poll, Ithaca is ranked tenth but don’t count out St. Lawrence, who are the defending 2023 Liberty League Men’s Rowing Champions. The Saints are only three spots behind at No. 13. Skidmore is ranked at No. 15 and RIT is receiving votes. In the 2V8+ poll, Ithaca is the only league team among the top 10, checking in at No. 9 while RIT is receiving votes.
St. Lawrence claimed its first Liberty League title at the 2023 championship, defeating Ithaca in the Varsity Eight race by more than five seconds. The Saints finished with a time of 6:02.16 to Ithaca’s 6:07.85. RIT (6:15.74) was third while Union (6:20.53), and Skidmore (6:28.12) rounded out the five boats. The Second Varsity Eight race was the closest of the championship as the Bombers prevailed, crossing the finish line 1.7 seconds ahead of runner-up RIT with a time of 6:13.63 to the Tigers’ 6:15.33. The RIT-B (3V8+) finished third in 6:25.01 followed by St. Lawrence (6:28.67), and Union 6:41.10.
The University of Rochester was triumphant in both fours. In the Men's Varsity Four, the Yellowjackets posted a time of 7:12.06 defeating Ithaca (7:18.92), and Skidmore (7:47.94). The Novice Four race featured Rochester and Union; the Yellowjackets cruised to victory in 7:29.34. The Garnet Chargers crossed the line in 7:58.39.
There will be four Men’s Rowing events at the 2024 championship with the Varsity Eight kicking things off at 9:40 AM. The Second Varsity Eight will be the following race at 9:50 AM. Both fours will also be held at 10:20 AM (varsity) and 10:40 AM (novice).
VICTORS GET THE SPOILS (POSTSEASON OPPORTUNITIES)
Winners of the Varsity Eight races are crowned Liberty League team champions. For the women, to earn the Liberty League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, they must also have a Second Varsity Eight boat participate at the league regatta. The NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships for all three divisions will be held May 31-June 1 in Bethel Ohio at East Fork/Harsha Lake. On the men’s side, the winner of the Men’s Varsity Eight earns a trip to the the 2024 IRA Championships, which will take place May 31-June 2 in West Windsor, N.J. at Mercer Lake.