WORCESTER, Mass.—William Smith College capped its regular season at the ECAC National Invitational Rowing Championships on Lake Quinsigamond today. The Heron varsity four was the team's top finisher, capturing a bronze medal in the women's open four race.
 
As the varsity four launched for warm-up in the morning, the crew was informed that, due to a scratch, their heat had been converted to a final-only in the afternoon. Katie Lehmann, Grace Hutton, Kristen Brayden, Anola Stage, and Megan Miskovsky managed the unexpected change well, charging down the course. With 500 meters to go, William Smith worked its way into third place and held off a strong charge by St. Lawrence. The Herons captured bronze in 8:02.363, behind winner Bates and second place New Hampshire.

"This four has demonstrated remarkable resiliency this season," Head Coach Sandra Chu said. "Despite many lineup changes, they have been determined to find speed every day. Because of their belief in their own abilities to improve and their persistence in this hunt, they have been able to medal in every postseason race this year."

Both the Heron second varsity eight and novice eight progressed out of the morning heats to their respective grand final.
 
In the 2V, the top two crews in each of the three heats progressed to the grand final. Susan Tuvell, Carissa Boire, Catherine Wolf-Rodda, Eliza Orrick, Emma Tiedemann, Morgan Atanasio, Laurie VanBenschoten, Alex Belden, and Morgan Burgess were comfortably in second in their heat, crossing the line in 7:19.73, more than 8.5 seconds ahead of third place Colby. In the final, the Herons finished sixth in 7:28.812.
 
In the novice eight, the top three finishers in each of the two heats earned a spot in the grand final. Hannah Glenshaw, Karoline Loretan, Acadia Moeyersoms, Hannah Novak, Sammie Kearney, Margaret Cameron, Nora Burd, Nina Prescott, and Rachel Rosenberg finished second in the morning with a time of 7:24.702. In the final, William Smith found itself in a battle for third place with Williams and Wesleyan. The Ephs pulled ahead to take the bronze while the Cardinals edged the Herons for fourth by just 0.162 seconds. William Smith posted a time of 7:35.844.

"These were great battles," Chu said. "The teams in New England are fast and we were proud to be among them. It was nice to see the novice bounce back against Ithaca, to whom they dropped a race last weekend as well."

In the varsity eight, the top two crews in each of the three heats progressed to the grand final. At the finish line, Emily Davidowitz, Katie Paige, Caroline DeWeirdt, Lauren Blake-Whitney, Sinead Reilly, Aly Clark, Emma Dow, Alyssa Trebilcock, and Libby Hughes found themselves 0.099 seconds out of a spot in the grand final. William Smith battled Washington (Md.) College bow ball to bow ball in a race that came down to which crew had its oars in the water last. Defending national champion Williams won the heat and the Shorewomen took second in 6:46.296 with the Herons stopping the clock at 6:46.395.
 
In the afternoon, William Smith used its disappointment to fuel an open-water win in the petite final, crossing the finish line in 7:08.209, more than three seconds faster than runner-up Ithaca.
 
The NCAA Championship field is comprised of six teams, and each team is required to field two boats of eight rowers and a coxswain. It also will provide for two at-large Eights selected from the remaining member institutions. Each region must be represented at the championships by either a team or an at-large eight boat.

William Smith entered the ECAC NIRC as the top ranked team in the NCAA New York Region and finished ahead of all of the New York entries this weekend in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight, so the Herons are virtually assured of at least an at-large eight bid.

"Our focus is on gaining speed in the varsity eight between now and the NCAA Championship," Chu said. "We're looking to show that we did not put forth our absolute top speed today and welcome the opportunity to prove it."
 
The NCAA Championship selection show will be webcast on NCAA.com at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 12.