For the Division III crews that took to the waters at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis May 31-June 2, there was more at stake than just an invitation to compete. For the first time, Division III crowned a women's rowing champion, and this year, it was the Ephs of Williams College.

This was the first year that three separate division championships had been conducted in rowing. The event had been a National Collegiate championship until Division III gained the sponsorship numbers necessary to host a championship.

"In past years, it has been more of a reward for a good season to be invited (to the National Collegiate championship)," said Williams head coach Justin Moore. "It was more like, 'Let's go out and row as fast as we can for the first 1,000 meters and see if we can't catch one of the Division I teams that might not be on their game.' With the new format, you are here competing to win."

And win Williams did, overcoming an early lead by William Smith to capture the deciding Eights final. Williams' margin of victory was just three-tenths of a second.

In the Eights petite final, Colby's second boat was victorious with a time of 7:30.58. Williams' second boat took second in the petite final with a time of 7:31.59, followed by Ithaca.

In the overall team standings, Williams finished with the lowest point total (nine) to earn the title. Colby finished second with 11, while William Smith and Ithaca College tied for third with 12. William Smith earned the third-place award after earning the tiebreaker of placing higher than Ithaca in the grand final.

Team results

1. Williams, 9; 2. Colby, 11; 3. William Smith, 12; 4. Ithaca, 12; 5. Pacific Lutheran, 16; 6. Smith, 18.

Event results

Eights: Petite final -- 1. Colby [Brittainy Heitzman (coxswain), Erica Bauer, Katie Ward-Waller, Katie O'Neill, Cameron Fisher, Andrea Piekarski, Laura Mistretta, Laurel Woodward, Claire Goodman], 7:30:58; 2. Williams, 7:31:95; 3. Ithaca, 07:32:87; 4. William Smith, 7:44:57; 5. Pacific Lutheran, 7:49:05; 6. Smith, 7:49:99.

Eights: Final -- 1. Williams [Emma Harries (coxswain), Anne Rutherford, Anne Lewis, Liz Mygatt, Rachel DeSouza, Laura Spero, Shoshana Clark, Tzzy Lowell, Rachel Outman], 7:15:89; 2. William Smith, 7:16:19; 3. Ithaca, 7:19:09; 3. Colby, 7:21:89; 4. Pacific Lutheran, 7:26:16; 5. Smith, 7:29:12.