Sunday, May 29
Sarasota, Fla.
Princeton University
vs
NCAA Championships
Princeton women's open crew finished third overall, the second best finish ever by the program.
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Princeton's Varsity Four Wins NCAA Championship; Team Places Third Overall
May 29, 2022 | Women's Rowing - Open
SARASOTA – The No. 5 Princeton Tigers had an all-time day during day three of the NCAA Rowing Championships.
The Varsity Four of Roopa Venkatraman, Hailey Mead, Catherine Garrett, Natasha Neitzell and Lauren Johnson won the national title (7:05.23) over Ohio State (7:06.46), Texas (7:07.18), Stanford (7:08.54), Washington (7:10.78) and Brown (7:19.22).
The gold medal marks the first V4 medal in program history at the NCAA Rowing Championships. Venkatraman, Mead, Garrett, Neitzell and Johnson join the likes of the 1997 2V, 2006 1V and 2011 1V as the only golds in team history at NCAAs.
That wasn't the only good news of the day.
Princeton's second varsity collected a fifth-place finish (6:30.69) in its Grand Final behind Yale, Stanford, Washington and Texas. It was the 2V's best spot since 2013 and was an eight-spot improvement over its No. 13 seed.
Next up was the 1V.
Princeton trailed by a second in the first 500m to Texas before the Longhorns pulled away from the entire field (6:10.73). The Tigers were neck and neck with Stanford, but the Cardinal secured second place (6:15.43). Princeton (6:17.70) kept California (6:18.78) at bay to secure the bronze. It was the 1V's best finish since a silver in 2013.
It's the first time that Princeton had two medal winners at NCAAs since 1997. The Tigers also finished third in the team standings (118) behind Texas (124) and Stanford (124). That is the best mark by Lori Dauphiny's group since a silver in 1997. The Longhorns won the team crown based on its finish in the V8.
"We are so proud of this team," said Dauphiny. "The finish in the fearless four is historic! The 2V exceeded their ranking and surprised many in some hard fought racing. The 1V shined, showing great grit and determination. Everyone was a part of getting this team to the podium. We are grateful for all of the help and support of so many. It was an amazing NCAA Championship for the Tigers."
The Varsity Four of Roopa Venkatraman, Hailey Mead, Catherine Garrett, Natasha Neitzell and Lauren Johnson won the national title (7:05.23) over Ohio State (7:06.46), Texas (7:07.18), Stanford (7:08.54), Washington (7:10.78) and Brown (7:19.22).
Texas jumped out to an early lead in the first 500m, seventh tenths of a second ahead of Princeton. The Tigers eventually caught the Longhorns and surpassed the field by 1.4 seconds at the 1000m mark. The V4 kept its distance before crossing the finish line 1.2 seconds in front.NATIONAL CHAMPION!
— Princeton Open Women (@princetonwcrew) May 29, 2022
Our Varsity Four clears the field by over a second and takes NCAA Varsity Four National Title! pic.twitter.com/I7SEin9MON
Relive the final moments of the Varsity Four's National Championship race ... ?? pic.twitter.com/0KPCz3pGO4
— Princeton Open Women (@princetonwcrew) May 29, 2022
The gold medal marks the first V4 medal in program history at the NCAA Rowing Championships. Venkatraman, Mead, Garrett, Neitzell and Johnson join the likes of the 1997 2V, 2006 1V and 2011 1V as the only golds in team history at NCAAs.
That wasn't the only good news of the day.
Princeton's second varsity collected a fifth-place finish (6:30.69) in its Grand Final behind Yale, Stanford, Washington and Texas. It was the 2V's best spot since 2013 and was an eight-spot improvement over its No. 13 seed.
Next up was the 1V.
Princeton trailed by a second in the first 500m to Texas before the Longhorns pulled away from the entire field (6:10.73). The Tigers were neck and neck with Stanford, but the Cardinal secured second place (6:15.43). Princeton (6:17.70) kept California (6:18.78) at bay to secure the bronze. It was the 1V's best finish since a silver in 2013.
It's the first time that Princeton had two medal winners at NCAAs since 1997. The Tigers also finished third in the team standings (118) behind Texas (124) and Stanford (124). That is the best mark by Lori Dauphiny's group since a silver in 1997. The Longhorns won the team crown based on its finish in the V8.
"We are so proud of this team," said Dauphiny. "The finish in the fearless four is historic! The 2V exceeded their ranking and surprised many in some hard fought racing. The 1V shined, showing great grit and determination. Everyone was a part of getting this team to the podium. We are grateful for all of the help and support of so many. It was an amazing NCAA Championship for the Tigers."
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— Princeton Open Women (@princetonwcrew) May 29, 2022
Trophy time is our favorite time. pic.twitter.com/m1c4fajxP8
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing - Open
/ Women's Rowing - Open
/ Women's Rowing - Open
/ Women's Rowing - Open
/ Women's Rowing - Open
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