GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- The Bates women's rowing team got the NCAA Championships off to a strong start on Friday morning, as both crews qualified for their respective grand finals, taking place this afternoon at Lake Lanier Olympic Park.

Led by sophomore coxswain Shoshana Levy (Arlington, Va.) and junior stroke seat Charlotte Comrack (Washington, D.C.), the Bates second varsity eight got the morning started by taking third place in their heat with a time of 6:57.639. Tufts won the heat in 6:40.139 and William Smith took second in 6:49.557. Bates finished well-ahead of Catholic (7:35.601) and with the top three finishers advancing to the grand final did enough to qualify for the chance to take home gold. 

The second varsity eight grand final is set for 3:32 this afternoon. Wellesley, William Smith, Trinity, Tufts, Williams, and Bates will square off, with the Bobcats in lane six.

The first varsity eight followed the 2V Friday morning and won their heat in convincing fashion. Led by sophomore coxswain Leah Brody (Larchmont, N.Y.) and sophomore stroke seat Virginia Adams (Hanover, N.H.), the Bobcats raced to the finish in 6:39.032, two seconds ahead of runner-up Trinity (6:41.346).

The first varsity eight grand final is set for 3:40 this afternoon. Williams, Trinity, Tufts, Bates, William Smith, and Wellesley will compete for the gold medal, with the Bobcats in lane four.

The NCAA Division III champion will be determined by who has the most points between the second and first varsity eight grand finals. The winner of the second varsity grand final gets 16 points while the winner of the first varsity eight grand final receives 40 points. Points are awarded down the line from there (37 for second place in the 1V, 14 for second place in the 2V, etc.).

Bates Lineups:

Bates WV8 lineup: Bow: Hannah de Fontaine; 2: Greta Oberdiek; 3: Isabelle Martin; 4: Megan O'Donnell; 5: Quinn Gleason; 6: Maggie Gill; 7: Olivia Smith; Stroke: Virginia Adams; c: Leah Brody

Bates W2V8 lineup: Bow: Mia Senturk; 2: Merrill Doherty; 3: Adina Suchman; 4: Froney Dreher; 5: Kiki Hillery; 6: Fili Keszti; 7: Ava Teleki; Stroke: Charlotte Comrack; c: Shoshana Levy

Alternate: Cal Dagner

Alternate: Olivia Hill

Alternate coxswain: Sophie Shaw

Team Manager: Arden Minor