NO. 10: WOMEN'S ROWING

Coming in at number ten in the Top 10 Virginia Sports Stories of the Year is the women’s rowing team.  Few sports here at U.Va. experience as much success as the rowing team.  Virginia’s very own reservoir dogs have amassed a streak that rivals that of the “dynasty” that is U.Va. swimming and diving. The Cavaliers captured their seventh straight ACC Championship last year and look to extend that to eight later this month, tying the mark accomplished by the swimming and diving team. The rowing team finished the season last year with a seventh place finish at the South/Central Championships, but did not receive an invitation to the 12-team NCAA Championships.
Cavalier head coach Kevin Sauer made it very clear that the goal this year was not only an NCAA Championship appearance, but a title. The team is off to a great start, winning 20 of their first 22 races against the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State, all ranked in the top 20 nationally. The varsity eight boat, ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation, is 2-2 on the year with losses to No. 3 Ohio State and Central Florida.  The Cavaliers are currently ranked No. 7 in the nation. The second varsity eight boat, not to be outdone by their teammates, was recently named ACC Crew of the Week for their two wins over powerhouses Michigan and Ohio State.

The Cavaliers look to capture their eighth-straight title at the ACC Championships on April 21 and look to qualify for the NCAA Championships at the South/Central Regional Championships on May 12.      

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