Rowing wins third NCAA Championship

Sunday, June 2

Bethel, Ohio

7:56 a.m. CT / 8:56 a.m. ET

University of Texas

NCAA Championships

06.02.2024 | Rowing

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Texas won its third national championship over a four-year stretch on Sunday at Harsha Lake.

BETHEL, Ohio – Highlighted by victories in the Four and First Varsity Eight Grand Finals, No. 1 Texas Rowing captured its third NCAA National Championship over the last four years Sunday at Harsha Lake.

Texas became just the third program to win three NCAA titles over a four-year stretch, joining Brown (1999-2000, '02) and Ohio State (2013-15). It's also the first time Texas has won two events at the same national championship.

The Longhorns totaled a program-record of 130 total points, three points ahead of runner-up Stanford (127). In a thrilling race from start-to-finish, UT earned the win in the First Eight over Stanford, the final race of the day, to solidify the national crown under light precipitation. With the win, Texas' First Eight has gone undefeated in three of the last four seasons.

"That was spectacular racing by all three crews, and I could not be more proud of this team," said head coach Dave O'Neill. "They did something very special today, and it all started with our first team meeting back in August. I give them a lot of credit for buying in, doing the work and making each other better every step of the way."

The Longhorns started off strong with its second consecutive national title in the Four. UT dominated from the jump and led the full race, cruising to an open-water triumph in 6:59.555. With the victory, Texas added 22 points to its tally. Texas finished over four seconds ahead of national runner-up Princeton, who crossed the line at 7:03.761. Stanford (3rd – 7:04.489), Yale (4th – 7:06.845), Tennessee (5th – 7:07.729) and Washington (6th – 7:14.657) followed.

"We had to reconfigure the Four earlier this week, and we knew it would be a boat that would row well," said O'Neill. "Well, they definitely rowed well and raced with terrific power and poise. Phoebe Robinson stepped up in a big way, and the two freshmen in Lucy Searle and Katherine Nordheim were fantastic all year long."

Texas fought in a tightly contested battle in the Second Eight, posting a final time of 6:20.320 – just 2.16 seconds behind first-place Stanford (6:18.156). It is Texas' highest finish in the II Eight since placing second in 2019. Third place Tennessee followed the Longhorns after clocking in at 6:22.830. Washington (4th – 6:24.898), Yale (5th – 6:25.776) and Princeton (6th – 6:32.828) followed in order.

"The Second Eight had their best race of the year, and we knew it'd be needed," said O'Neill. "There were no certainties heading into the final, and we said that race was going to determine the regatta. They showed true Texas Fight, and it was a great race throughout. I'm particularly happy for those who were in the Second Eight from last year. Sue Holderness, Allie Alton and Taryn Kooyers deserved to be on that podium. It was also great to see Parker Illingworth race so well. I'm so proud of that entire effort."

UT closed out the national regatta with a thrilling victory in the I Eight (6:09.920) to claim the program's third Varsity Eight national crown. Princeton carried an early lead through the race's first 500 meters, but Texas quickly acquired the lead and didn't squander it over the last 1,500 meters. Texas continued to build on its lead throughout the race, pushing its advantage to a half-boat length as the Longhorns crossed the finish line.

"We figured if the Four and Second Eight could give the First Eight a chance, we'd be in good position. That's the way it should be. They wanted that responsibility, and they stepped up in a big way. That crew has been consistently good every step all spring long, and they might have saved their best for last. The entire field certainly brought out the best in them, and I'm really glad we rose to the occasion."

Stanford finished runner-up in the Varsity Eight with a final time of 6:11.804 followed by Tennessee (6:12.156), Princeton (6:15.556), Brown (6:18.030) and Washington (6:19.232).

Now in his ninth season as head coach at Texas, O'Neill totaled his third national title. The Longhorns have placed in the top-eight nationally in all nine of his seasons at UT. On a historic note, O'Neill has coached five varsity eights to national championships, which is the most by a head coach in NCAA history.

The University of Texas now owns 66 all-time National Championships (62 NCAA crowns). It's the fourth straight year UT has won multiple national titles in the same academic year.

Lineups

I Eight: Carly Legenzowski (C), Mette Nielsen, Lanie Nitsch, Anna Jensen, Etta Carpender, Marg Van der Wal, Abby Dawson, Cassandre Korvink-Kucinski and Amber Harwood