NSU Sharks News
Rowing Receives Sixth-Straight NCAA Bid
Sharks head to Cherry Hill, N.J., May 29-31 for the 2009 NCAA Division II Rowing Championships
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (May 19, 2009) - Nova Southeastern University's women's rowing team has been selected to participate in the 2009 NCAA Division II Rowing Championships May 29-31 in Cherry Hill, N.J. It is the sixth-consecutive year in which the Sharks will be competing at the NCAA Championships. "We're really excited about going back to the NCAA Championships for a sixth time in a row," said head coach John Gartin. "We got two really strong boats and are looking forward to testing ourselves against the best in the nation. We got some great training in for the last two weeks. The girls have a positive, strong mental outlook that bodes well for this last race of the season."
NSU was one of four institutions to receive full-team bids and will compete in both the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 races. The Sharks will be among elite competition as Mercyhurst, Philadelphia and Western Washington all received full-team bids. Mercyhurst claimed the 2005 NCAA Championship. Meanwhile, Western Washington is the four-time defending national champion.
Also selected to the field were two At-Large Varsity 8 teams Dowling and Seattle Pacific.
NSU has had a stellar season so far. The Sharks claimed their third-consecutive Sunshine State Conference Championship as well as collected their first-ever FIRA Women's Championship. Meanwhile, the Varsity 8 was tabbed SSC Boat of the Week for four straight weeks during the season. The Varsity 4 had a second-place showing in the Grand Finals at the Dad Vail Regatta.
Competition at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships will begin on Friday, May 29 with Varsity 8 heats at 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The top boat from each heat will automatically advance to the Grand Finals on Sunday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the other two boats from each heat will compete in the Repechage on Saturday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. for a berth to the Grand Finals. Varsity 4 competition will take place on Friday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m., with the winner of the heat automatically advancing to the Grand Finals. The remaining three boats will race on Saturday, May 30 in the Repechage at 10:45 a.m., with the top two boats going on to the Grand Finals.
