Two ACC Teams Named to NCAA Rowing Championship Field :: Virginia earns conference's automatic berth, while Clemson's varsity eight selected as at-large bid.

May 20, 2008

2008 ACC Rowing Championship Photos (Available for Purchase)

Virginia Earns Berth To 2008 NCAA Rowing Championships

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - For the 11th time in the 12-year history of the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships, Virginia has earned a berth to the competition, the NCAA announced Tuesday. The championships will be held May 30-June 1 at Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, Calif.

UVa is one of 12 teams that will field a Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Four crew. In addition, four Varsity Eight boats from institutions not represented in the team competition were selected.

Virginia won its school-record ninth-straight ACC Championship this season and most recently was crowned overall team champion at the South/Central Regionals last weekend. Virginia has competed in 10 NCAA Championships, finishing as a runner-up three times (most recently in 2007).

Virginia's Second Varsity Eight finished in first place at the NCAAs in 1998, 1999 and 2005, while the Varsity Four was national champions in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Clemson's Varsity 8+ To Participate in NCAA Tournament

CLEMSON, S.C. - For the first time in school history, the Clemson rowing program will participate in the NCAA Tournament. After an excellent performance at this weekend's Aramark South/Central Sprints, the Varsity 8+ crew was selected for the tournament. The crew consists of Elyse Roenick (coxswain), Jessica Leidecker, Suzanne Van Fleet, Brittany Cummings, Megan Bendik, Liz Robb, Hilary Cumbest, Ford Heiner, and Michelle Nance. The championships will be held May 30-June 1 at Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, Calif.

"I am pleased to receive the news about our Varsity Eight as we represent Clemson for the first time in the NCAAs," said Clemson Head Coach Richard Ruggieri. "We will make sure we row on behalf of all the members of the Clemson rowing team. It is a team effort and we will make sure we don't let each other down."

The 2008 NCAA Rowing Championship field includes:

Teams
Brown
California
Harvard
Michigan State
Ohio State
Princeton
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Washington State
Wisconsin
Yale

At-Large Eights
Clemson
Michigan
Southern California
Stanford