Led by sophomore coxswain Leah Brody, the Bates women's first varsity eight raced to the finish of their grand final at the National Invitational Rowing Championship in 7:06.210, beating runner-up Williams (7:08.518) by more than two seconds. Tufts came in third in 7:13.582, scoring 34 points in the race and giving them 50 total. Bates' first-place finish was good for 40 points. Combined with their 10 points scored in the 2V race, the Bobcats also finished with 50 total points.
By rule, the tiebreaker went to Bates due to the 1V's victory and the Bobcats celebrated a NESCAC title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
"The women's first varsity eight grand final was executed to perfection," Bates head coach Peter Steenstra said. "Brody and her crew started out in fifth place through the first 500 meters. Then they walked their way through the field, stunning everyone, including the commentators on the live broadcast."
