The William Smith rowing team had to hold its breath for nearly the entire six-minute long NCAA Rowing Championship selection show, but in the end, the Herons received one of two at-large bids, sending the varsity eight to the national championship regatta at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, Calif.

The seven team selections (varsity eight and second varsity eight) were announced in alphabetical order (Bates, Ithaca, Puget Sound, St. Lawrence, Trinity, Wellesley, and Williams), followed by the two at-large bids for a single eight. Mary Washington was announced as the first at-large, followed by William Smith, prompting one Heron oarswoman to quip afterward, “We need to add an A to William Smith, as in 'A William Smith.'”



“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Head Coach Sandra Chu admitted. “While I'm disappointed that we didn't get a team bid, this is still a team achievement. Everyone on our roster has worked so hard over the past few weeks. I'm very proud of all of them and excited that we get the chance to keep rowing.”

The Heron varsity eight, ranked eighth in the first CRCA/USRowing poll of the spring season, slipped lower and lower in the poll as the season progressed, finally dropping out entirely after a disappointing result at the Liberty League Championships on April 24. But like the phoenix rising from the ashes (or in this case a Heron), the V8 bounced back to seize a bronze medal at the New York State Championships on May 2. That performance was acknowledged by the CRCA/USRowing voters as William Smith returned to No. 8 in the nation.

The Herons are making their eighth NCAA Championship appearance and first as an at-large since the NCAA instituted a Division III championship in 2002.