Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
NCAA Championship
Top-Ranked Women Stand One Win Away From First NCAA Title
May 27, 2006 | Women's Rowing - Open
May 27, 2006
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The top-ranked Princeton open first varsity hasn't lost a race yet this year. If it can extend that streak one more day - 2,000 more meters - it will claim its first NCAA championship and its first national title since 1995. Princeton won its heat in 6:20.858, more than five seconds faster than second-place Brown.
The first varsity, which set a program record this year with 14 victories and has won 36 straight dual races dating back to 2004, entered the year as the No. 1 team in the country. It didn't lose a race during the season and left the field two weeks ago at Eastern Sprints to claim its second such title in three years. The Tigers cruised to victory during yesterday's preliminary heat, and they did the same today in the first semifinal showdown.
Sunday's final, scheduled for noon at Mercer Lake in nearby West Windsor, will feature six of the top-ranked teams in the sport. Three teams qualified from each heat, including Brown and Washington State from Princeton's Heat #1. California, the No. 2 team in the country and the 2005 national champion, won the second heat and will join Michigan State and Ohio State in the grand final.
California won its heat in 6:30.472, but the time itself shouldn't be compared to any of the times in the first heat (the time would have put the Golden Bears sixth in the first heat). Winning the semifinal heat or posting a fast time isn't nearly as important as simply finishing in the top three, so once a boat feels it has clinched its spot, it can slow down in the final stages of the race.
There won't be any slowing down Sunday, especially if there is another showdown between Princeton and California. The Tigers led last year's championship race through 1000 meters, but the Golden Bears rallied to win the title by less than two seconds.
Six members of that Princeton boat are still in the first varsity, and they will lead the way in Sunday's championship final. Princeton will also send its second varsity into the grand final Sunday (11:15) after placing second in a tight second repechage. With both of Friday's winners already qualifying for the grand finals, Princeton needed to finish in the top two in its repechage. Wisconsin won the race, but the Tigers held on to finish in 6:38.132, just ahead of Michigan State's time of 6:38.893. Princeton will compete for the gold medal against Brown, Wisconsin, Washington State, California and Ohio State.
The varsity fours were edged out of Sunday's grand final, which will likely put the NCAA team final out of reach. Four teams qualified all three teams into the grand finals, which gives them a significant advantage in the team race. Princeton finished its heat in 7:26.532, more than five seconds behind Ohio State and Michigan State.
All times from Saturday's races can be found here.