Despite the windy conditions May 30-31 at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Colby still claimed its first Division III Women's Rowing Championship after winning the Eights race.

This year's championship was the second Division III event. The rowing championships before 2002 were National Collegiate championships. Colby finished second to Williams in 2002.

Colby finished the Eights with a 6:42.69, nearly five seconds ahead of Puget Sound, which finished with a 6:47.68. Colby went on to finish third in the Eights Petite Finals, earning 10 points for the victory.

"We prepared for and trained for the wind," said Colby coxswain Vivienne Ho. "This is 'Windianpolis.' We can thank the inconsistent weather up in Maine for helping us with our training."

Puget Sound finished second with 12 points, Ithaca came in at third and Coast Guard finished fourth.

Team results

1. Colby, 10; 2. Puget Sound, 12; 3. Ithaca, 12; 4. Coast Guard, 14; 5. Trinity, 14; 6. Wellesley, 16.

Event results

Eights: Petite final -- 1. Ithaca [Michelle Becht, Irene Woodward, Kristin Keller, Jessie Selock, Leslie Nichols, Jill Moler, Jacy McFall, Anna Dunham, Catie Cloo (coxswaim)], 6:56.90; 2. Trinity, 7:01.62; 3. Colby, 7:07.03; 4. Puget Sound, 7:09.03; 5. Coast Guard, 7:18.76; 6. Wellesley, 7:26.16.

Eights: Final -- 1. Colby [Leah Hagamen, Emily Allen, Laura Mistretta, Annie Szender, Leah Robertson, Andrea Piekarski, Megan Loosigian, Ellie Boyce, Vivienne Ho (coxswain)], 6:42.69; 2. Puget Sound, 6:47.68; 3. Coast Guard, 6:48.77; 4. Wellesley, 6:48.91; 5. Ithaca, 6:54.06; 6. Trinity, 6:58.17.