Rhode Island rowers win two national titles

The team’s varsity lightweight four boat and novice four boat both won national titles at the championships.
The team’s varsity lightweight four boat and novice four boat both won national titles at the championships. | File photo

The University of Rhode Island men’s rowing club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a slew of wins at the American Collegiate Rowing Association Championships in Gainesville, Georgia.

“I believe our rowers were inspired by the celebration of the club’s founding in 1965-66, including interacting with more than 150 alumni and the christening of a new boat named ‘Spirit of ’65’ in honor of the founding members,” coach Bob Gillette said. "All in all, it was a spectacular end to our 50th-anniversary season. A Head of the Charles win, a New England champion and two national champions. We hope to ride this wave of momentum to even greater heights next year.”

The team’s varsity lightweight four boat and novice four boat both won national titles at the championships, with the novice team beating out 19 other boats from around the country.

The team’s successes came after several challenges, including efforts to find more coxswains so that it could field more boats and working to incorporate novice rowers into boats with more seasoned team members. The decision to separate novices into their own boat, allowing them to compete in the novice category, paid off with their win in Georgia.