MALDEN, Mass. -- The No. 5 nationally ranked Bates women's rowing team made a huge statement on Saturday, with the first varsity eight and second varsity eight both beating No. 1 Tufts in one-on-one races on the Malden River. 

Led by first-year coxswain Hannah Herbst (Larkspur, Calif.) and senior captain stroke seat Hannah Burdick (Lyme, N.H.), the Bates women's first varsity eight defeated the defending NCAA Division III champion Jumbos by nearly four seconds, with the Bobcats crossing the finish line in 7:17.9 and Tufts finishing runner-up in 7:21.4. 

On top of that, the Bates women's second varsity eight also emerged victorious against the Jumbos, winning their race by open water. Led by first-year coxswain Leah Brody (Larchmont, N.Y.) and senior captain stroke seat Rylee Eaton (Little Deer Isle, Maine), the Bates 2V raced to the finish in 7:31.7, easily beating the Jumbos, as Tufts crossed the finish line in 7:41.2.

"The women's V8 and 2V8 knew they were racing the best in D3 so they went into this with no expectations or reservations and gained confidence with every stroke," said head coach Peter Steenstra.

Bates women's rowing heads to Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. to compete against No. 9 WPI, among others, on Sunday.

Bates WV8 lineup: Bow: Cal Dagner; 2: Tatum Holley; 3: Isabelle Martin; 4: Maggie Gill; 5: Quinn Gleason; 6: Olivia Szachta; 7: Olivia Smith; Stroke: Hannah Burdick; c: Hannah Herbst

Bates W2V8 lineup: Bow: Maddie Kemp; 2: Mia Senturk; 3: Hannah de Fontaine 4: Kiki Hillery; 5: Megan O'Donnell; 6: Greta Oberdiek; 7: Elizabeth Gramley; Stroke: Rylee Eaton; c: Leah Brody

Bates W3V8 lineup: Bow: Kat O'Connell; 2: Julia Buzacott; 3: Mackenzie Higgins; 4: Evie Fox; 5: Froney Dreher; 6: Arden Minor; 7: Caitlin Regan; Stroke: Charlotte Comrack; c: Shoshana Levy

Bates W4V8 lineup: Bow: Olivia Hill; 2:Taylor Glick; 3: Merrill Doherty; 4: Ella Lisle; 5: Eva Calcutt; 6: Dominique Bunnell; 7: Alexa Terry; Stroke: Virginia Adams; c: Sara Maquera