The women's rowing team closed out their 2026 regular rowing season with two grand final races on Saturday at the Dad Vail Regatta. Both boats, WV8 and the WV4, put themselves in the right place to battle for a medal. Being in one of the middle lanes is exactly where any rower wants to be so they feel and see their competators the entire way down the race course.
The race times were adjusted last night in preparation for potential bad weather so the team had to make adjustement to their evening and race preparation the next morning.
This is nothing new for this group of women so they took it in stride and showed up ready to perform. The women's DII 4 was the first boat to take the water. They had posted the second fastest time from the semi's. All rowers know that those results do not always represent a crews true speed. This was definitely one of those times. The gold medal winner, Gordon College, was first off the lline and never gave that up. The race was for the silver and bronze between Union, Tamp and Rollins. There was just six seconds between these crews and unfortunately Rollins finished just off the podium, 2 secnds behind Tampa who was 4 seconds behind Union. The battle between the Rollins four and Tampa four has been going on all season and they have continued to trade off victories. The Division II race that was taking place outside of the medals was between Rollins and Jefferson. This was the first time Rollins has raced an east coast DII crew this season and the TARS beat Jefferson by 14 seconds.
The women's varsity 8 was defending their DII 2025 Varsity 8 Dad Vail win. The match up was between Rollins, Jeffereson and Vermont. Through the time trials all three boats posted times within a second of each other. Everyone was geared up knowing each crews true speed had yet to be shown. The face off happend at high noon and the race was on. Rollins and Jefferson got out to an early lead over Vermont and the battle became a duel. Jefferson just kept inching away from the TARS and as the race wore on, were able to cross the line 15 seconds ahead of Rollins who took home the silver medal. "We knew Jefferson had some speed" said Coach Thompson. "The hope is we can get another shot at this crew in the psot season . Congrats to them on a well rowed race."
The women's rowing teams fate is now in the hands of the selection committed who will determine if Rollins has posted good enough times and proven they are one of the top six DII women's teams in the country. Selections are set for May 19
th at 6pm. If the women earn a bid, they will be traveling to Gainesville, GA on Lake Lanier for the 2026 NCAA Championships.
Full Dad Vail Results
