With Stanford and Texas tied on points after the Grand Final of the 2V, which Stanford had won, the stakes were simple -- whoever won the 1V, and the team title was theirs. Just after the 1000 meter mark in the final, the Texas crew shifted, and it ended up being the lift they needed to take a lead they would not give back.
"We know the third five hundred is critical in any race, so we do everything possible to prepare for it," said Texas coach Dave O'Neill. "Throughout the year we talked about enjoying the hard stuff, and it doesn't get much harder than that third five hundred. The entire team leaned into doing hard things, and I think it really made a difference."
"We figured if the Four and Second Eight could give the First Eight a chance, we'd be in good position. That's the way it should be. They wanted that responsibility, and they stepped up in a big way. That crew has been consistently good every step all spring long, and they might have saved their best for last. The entire field certainly brought out the best in them, and I'm really glad we rose to the occasion."
After coming in fourth as team at the NCAAs on year ago, O'Neill spoke about how his team had shifted their focus for this year.
"Last year there was a lot of focus on our training plan, but that wasn't as much of a concern this year," he said. "I was more concerned with what needed to be done in the short term and long term, but the mental side was equally important. There were some workouts that might not make sense from a sport physiological perspective, but matter a ton from a team culture, trust and self-confidence perspective. Those were the workouts and days that the team truly remembered, and brought them together as one."
So, do championships start to run together after a while? O'Neill did not seem to think so. "Every championship is different and every team is special. This team was different than any other, and it started with the self-reflection from the way last year ended. The way they bought in and made each other better was beautiful to watch, and I am proud to be part of it. They were truly selfless and only wanted what was best for the team. This allowed the coaches to be at our best, as well."
Counting his stint at Cal, O'Neill has now coached his 1V eight to the NCAA Division I championship five times, more than any other coach.
After winning the team title and both eights events last year, Stanford had to settle for a close second, although you could hardly call it settling -- Stanford made the podium in all three events, with a win in the 2V, second place in the 1V and third place in the four.
Tennessee is on the Map
The NCAA podium is set to get even more crowded with a strong Tennessee squad in the mix; rowing as if they had been there for years, the Volunteers placed third in both the 1V and 2V eights, and fifth in the four enroute to a program-best third place finish.
A lot has been made of Kim Cupini's move from SMU to Tennessee prior to this season, as well as the number of transfers that bolstered UT's roster, but these races did not row themselves.
"They are racers and we prepare for the last race in the finals all year! And they nailed it," said Tennessee first-year head coach Kim Cupini. "I'm so impressed with this team and coaching staff for all they have accomplished. From the very beginning, they believed in themselves, each other, their goals, and the process. I'm so proud of how every one of them handled the changes and committed to what it took to reach the podium at the NCAAs.'
"It will take a little while for the team's accomplishments this year to sink in. But right now, I'm just proud of all the athletes and staff."
Tennessee's rise this season was remarkable; for evidence, check out the difference in the CRCA polls between April 17, and April 24. That's a meteoric rise for the team.
Fourth place Princeton, one of only three teams to appear at every NCAA Championship since 1997 (the other two are Brown and Washington) held their own in arguably the toughest NCAA field on record. Fourth place in the 1V, sixth in the 2V, and a heady second place in the V4 cemented their spot in the team ranking.
"The final in the 1V8 was awesome!" said Princeton coach Lori Dauphiny. "It was so close and well fought. Our 1V fought hard and I thought it was a courageous effort."
Dauphiny was equally complimentary of her lower boats. "I thought the 2V had an amazing race in the semi-final to get into the grand final, they gave it all they had. The V4 had such an impressive performance. They really lit it up!"
Dauphiny also agreed with the assessment that competition around the NCAA is not getting any easier. "It takes a lot of work to stay competitive as well as help from others. It is imperative to have that support," she added.
Notes from the Course
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