SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- The No. 1 nationally ranked Bates women's rowing team impressed against Division I competition and the Bobcats were the top finisher among the D3 schools in every race Saturday at the New York State Collegiate Championship Regatta.

Racing started with the first varsity eight taking on Ithaca, Canisius, Iona, and the University of Rochester in their heat. The Bobcats raced to the finish in 7:27.320, good for first place as their D3 rivals from Ithaca placed second in 7:29.822.

Then 30 minutes later, the second varsity eight took to the water and also won their heat, outracing Ithaca, RIT, and Iona with a winning time of 7:49.630. It was a blowout win, as runner-up Ithaca crossed the finish line in 8:09.048.

Led by first-year coxswain Shoshana Levy (Arlington, Va.) and sophomore stroke seat Charlotte Comrack (Washington, D.C.), the third varsity eight took home a gold medal as they won their only race on Saturday in impressive fashion. The Bobcats raced to the finish line in 7:39.960, beating runner-up Smith by just under four seconds (7:43.824) and easily winning by open water over William Smith (7:51.393) and Smith's other boat in the race (8:06.301).

Led by first-year coxswain Sara Maquera (Glenview, Ill.) and first-year stroke seat Caitlin Regan (Bethesda, Md.), the fourth varsity eight had perhaps the most exciting race of the day, as they won in 7:29.031. Army hung with them but took runner-up in the six-boat race in 7:30.828. 

"Both the 3V and the 4V executed their races really well," assistant coach Catie Flynn said. "They maintained composure while fighting through some tough competition which was great to see." 

Led by first-year coxswain Hannah Herbst (Larkspur, Calif.) and senior captain stroke seat Hannah Burdick (Lyme, N.H.), the first varsity eight took to the water again at just after 2 p.m. for their grand final, and the Bobcats won a bronze medal with a third-place showing, finishing the race in 7:07.750. NCAA Division I programs Colgate (7:01.440) and Syracuse (7:04.734) finished ahead of Bates, while the Bobcats outraced Ithaca (7:08.264), Marist (7:09.897), and William Smith College (7:12.481).

In the final race of the day for Bates, the second varsity eight, led by first-year coxswain Leah Brody (Larchmont, N.Y.) and senior captain stroke seat Rylee Eaton (Little Deer Isle, Maine), earned a silver medal. The Bobcats took second in their grand final with a time of 7:21.348. Only Division I program Marist (7:16.850) finished ahead of Bates, while the Bobcats outraced Smith (7:25.658), William Smith (7:29.255), Colgate (7:30.636), and Ithaca (7:34.347).

"All four of the women's crews put forth a tremendous effort today," head coach Peter Steenstra said. "It was great to see all boats being tested and getting better because of it. We ended the day as the top D3 crew in every race entered and you can't expect much more than that."

The women's rowing team is back in action next Saturday when they race MIT in Boston on the Charles River.

Bates WV8 lineup: Bow: Cal Dagner; 2: Tatum Holley; 3: Isabelle Martin; 4: Olivia Szachta; 5: Quinn Gleason; 6: Maggie Gill; 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: Julia Buzacott; 2: Taylor Glick; 3: Eva Calcutt; 4: Dominique Bunnell; 5: Froney Dreher; 6: Maggie Kornfeind; 7: Miryam Keller; Stroke: Charlotte Comrack; c: Shoshana Levy

Bates W4V8 lineup: Bow: Kat O'Connell; 2: Ella Lisle; 3: Olivia Hill; 4: Arden Minor; 5: Mackenzie Higgins; 6: Evie Fox; 7: Virginia Adams; Stroke: Caitlin Regan; c: Sara Maquera