Women's Rowing Wins CAA Championship, Earns NCAA Bid
May 19, 2013 | Women's Rowing
May 19, 2013
Results | Video Highlights
Highlighted by a two-second victory over Northeastern in the varsity eight race, the Boston University women's rowing team won the CAA Championship on Sunday and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis on May 31.
Heading into the final race of the day, the Terriers' varsity eight boat, coxed by junior Sarah Specht and stroked by senior Caroline Kimberly, needed a first place finish for the Terriers to win the championship. The boat delivered by defeating rival Northeastern by two seconds to give the Terriers a total of 32 points, enough to earn the CAA crown and the coveted automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
Earlier in the day, the Terriers' second varsity eight boat, coxed by sophomore Eline Vermeulen and stroked by freshman Emily Lerhe, finished second in its race behind Buffalo but ahead of third-place finisher Northeastern by five seconds.
The varsity four boat also did its part by finishing third in their race. Coxed by freshman Rachel Cohn and stroked by classmate Liv Wihtol, the V4 boat finished two seconds ahead of the fourth-place finisher Buffalo to earn much needed points.
The Terriers earned 32 points on the day to finish in first place followed by Northeastern with 29 and Buffalo with 27.
"I am extremely proud of the team," said women's head rowing coach Stacey Rippetoe. "Not just with the results today but with their trust in our plan and the entire process that lead us to a championship. Their trust and hard work were essential to accomplishing this goal."
Following the conclusion of the regatta, Rippetoe was named CAA Coach of the Year for the first time. Senior Gabby Cutler, senior Caroline Kimberly, junior Lynn Ratte and senior Caitlin Trillo were also named to the CAA All-Conference Team.
This year was the first time ever in women's rowing that automatic berths were given to conference winners, as the bracket was expanded from 16 teams to 22.
The Terriers have previously made six appearances at the NCAAs with the last at-large bid coming in 2006 for the varsity eight boat. The Terriers will look for their sixth national championship title and first since 1992.
RESULTS
Final Points
1) Boston University - 32
2) Northeastern - 29
3) University of Buffalo - 27
4) Drexel University - 20
5) Delaware - 9
6) EMU - 9
LINEUPS
Varsity Eight Cox - Sarah Specht, Stroke - Caroline Kimberly, 7 - Gabby Cutler, 6 - Lynn Ratte, 5 - Kerry Kennedy, 4 - Alex Gustafson, 3 - Kelly Jackson,, 2 - Mackenzie Wiler, Bow - Caitlin Trillo
Second Varsity Eight Cox - Eline Vermeulen, Stroke - Emily Lerhe, 7 - Claire Richer, 6 - Emma Ransom, 5 - Marisa Borchardt, 4 - Cydney Marks-Nicholes, 3 - Cailey Palmer-Rehorst, 2 - Katrina Lyter, Bow - Westanna Carleton
Varsity Four Cox - Rachel Cohn, Stroke - Liv Wihtol, 3 - Caroline Demko, 2 - Jo MacCune, 1 - Dominique Baker
