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The Vanderbilt Women’s Varsity 8+ rowing team made history with a victory at the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championships.
After a nail-biting race, the Commodores edged out Purdue by just 0.28 seconds to claim the gold medal, improving on their second-place finish last spring. This triumph in the highly competitive Women’s Varsity 8+ event is Vanderbilt’s best ever, surpassing their previous highest finish of ninth in 2016.
But the women’s team wasn’t the only one making waves. Vanderbilt Rowing had a banner year overall, with eighteen athletes earning spots on the ACRA All-Academic first and second teams, proving their prowess both on the water and in the classroom. Additionally, seven athletes were honored on the ACRA All-South Region Team, a remarkable achievement given there are only eighteen spots available.
The men’s team also brought home hardware, with the Varsity Men’s Quad and Novice Men’s 4+ both securing silver medals. For the first time in program history, Vanderbilt Rowing broke into the top ten in overall team points at the ACRA Championships.
Despite these achievements, Vanderbilt Rowing operates without varsity status, relying heavily on athletes' dues payments to cover costs. To help offset these expenses, the team runs the innovative Rent-A-Rower program, where Nashville locals can hire rowers for tasks like yard work, moving, cleaning, painting, and more. This program not only helps fund the team but also strengthens their bond with the community. The victory is a shared triumph, reflecting the collective efforts and contributions of both the athletes and the community. (vanderbiltrowing.com)