Madison Women’s First and Second Varsity: Third Best in the Nation

By Treeby Brown

The Madison Crew team finished their season with record-breaking performances at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) championships this past weekend—an invitation-only event featuring the best high school boats in the nation.   

James Madison’s First and Second Women's Varsity Eight Boats both earned bronze medals at the Scholastic Rowing Association of American’s national championships at Mercer Lake in New Jersey.  

This is the first time in the 11-year  history of Madison crew that two boats have received medals at the national championships. All five Madison boats competing—the Men’s and Women’s 1st and 2nd Eights and the Women’s Freshman Eight advanced past the preliminary round. 

The Women’s Second Varsity Eight edged into the finals less than ½ second ahead of fourth place finisher Radnor. In the finals, the 2V comfortably placed third just behind 2nd place finisher St. Ignatius (CA) and first place winner, Saratoga Springs (NY).   

In the Women’s First Varsity Eight final, Madison poured it on in the last 250 meters of the final to edge less than a second ahead of National Cathedral School  for the third-place medal behind Mount St. Joseph’s (PA) and Saratoga Springs (NY). 

The Men’s Second Eight and the Women’s Freshman Eight both advanced to the semifinal round—the best showing ever for a Madison Women’s Freshman Eight.   The Men’s Second Eight was the only school in Virginia to advance to the semi-final round.  The Men’s First Eight advanced to the repechage round where they finished fifth.

Stay tuned next week for a wrap-up of the James Madison Crew season, including a complete list of colleges where many  Madison high school senior rowers will compete next season.