Bates College

Guided by sophomore coxswain Elizabeth Folsom, the Bates women's varsity eight claimed first place out of 28 boats in the Women's Collegiate Eights at the 54th Head of the Charles Regatta on Sunday.

The defending NCAA champion Bobcats took first for the second straight year and for the third time in program history. In 2017, Bates set a course record in the Women's Collegiate Eights on its way to the title. Bates also won the event in 2014.

Folsom (San Mateo, Calif.) and her crew navigated the serpentine 4,800-meter course on the Charles River in 18:18.054, outpacing runner-up Williams by more than 20 seconds. The Ephs raced to the finish in 18:38.890 and WPI finished third with a time of 18:42.328.