Williams, the winner of the inaugural NCAA Division III Women’s Rowing Championship in 2002, earned its second national title May 27 at the Finn Caspersen Rowing Center in West Windsor, New Jersey.

The Ephs compiled 21 points on the strength of its I and II Varsity boats placing second and third in the final. Ithaca, which won the grand final, finished second in the team standings with 15 points. Trinity (Connecticut) was third with 13 points, followed by Smith, Tufts and Puget Sound, with 12, 10 and 7 points, respectively.

The grand final mirrored the Eastern College Athletic Conference final in which Ithaca edged Williams for the league crown. While the Bombers once again finished in front of the Ephs with a winning time of 3:46.3730, Williams’ second varsity boat crossed the finish line ahead of Trinity (Connecticut) for third place and the national championship.

Williams held a small lead over Smith and Ithaca early in the race and by the 700-meter mark had established a  three-seat lead over the two-time champion Ithaca as both crews began pulling away from the rest of the field. The Williams II boat moved into to contention for third at the 1,000-meter mark. In the final 50 meters, the bows of Williams’ and Ithaca’s boats vyed for the front. The Bombers’ winning margin was .351 of a second.

Trinity (Connecticut) finished fourth in the race, followed by Tufts and Smith.

Team results

1. Williams, 21; Ithaca, 15; 3. Trinity (Conn.), 13; 4. Smith, 12; 5. Tufts, 10; 6. Puget Sound, 7.

Event results

Eights: Petite final — 1. Lewis & Clark [Cassie Mets (coxswain), Emilie Heiman, Erika Rowe, Jen Lesyna, Madeline Lish King, Diane Bushman, Meghann Paddock, Lucinda Boyce, Meg Tremblay], 6:55.9580; 2. Colby, 6:57.9510; 3. Puget Sound, 6:58.2410; 4. Smith II, 7:00.7150; 5. Trinity (Conn.) II, 7:03.4590; 6. Ithaca II, 7:10.9290.

Eights: Grand final — 1. Ithaca [Melanie Pessin (coxswain), Sarah Kuebler, Emma Flemer, Kaitlin Veninsky, Stephanie Knabe, Kelsey Schaeffer, Stacey Brown, Jane Semiz, Heather Luke], 6:46.3730; 2. Williams, 6:46.7240; 3. Williams II, 6:48.9770; 4. Trinity (Conn.), 6:51.8710; 5. Tufts, 6:53.3030; 6. Smith, 6:54.0940.