Rutgers women's rowing is making waves early this season, climbing to No. 8 in the latest CRCA Pocock Collegiate Rowing Association Poll. This marks a step up from their preseason No. 9 spot, setting a promising tone for the year.
The Scarlet Knights kick off their spring schedule with a scrimmage against Temple and the Princeton Lightweights on March 14 on the Raritan River. They’ll officially launch their 2026 campaign at the Doc Hosea Invitational in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on March 29.
The roster is stacked with talent, featuring CRCA Second Team All-American Lily Wood, Big Ten Freshman of the Year Beatrice Colclough, and Second Team All-Big Ten honoree Chiara Saccomando. Wood, Saccomando, and Femke de Witt all showcased their skills internationally at the 2025 Under-23 World Championship, representing Great Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands, respectively.
Looking ahead, the Scarlet Knights have a packed schedule. They’ll compete in the Ivy League Invitational on April 11 in Princeton, New Jersey, and the Big Ten Invitational in Gold River, California, on April 18-19.
The Women's Sprints in Worcester, Massachusetts, are set for May 3, followed by the Big Ten Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 16-17. The season culminates with the NCAA Championships from May 29-31 in Gainesville, Georgia.
Rutgers is building on a landmark 2025 season, where they placed eighth in their sixth consecutive NCAA Championship appearance. They snagged a program-record six medals at the Big Ten Championships and claimed the Island Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.
Their performance at the 2025 NCAA Championships was particularly noteworthy, with the Varsity 4 boat finishing just shy of a national medal, securing fifth place in a nail-biting race. This matched the program’s best boat finish at NCAAs, a feat previously achieved by the Varsity 8 in 2021.
The Scarlet Knights dominated last season’s Big Ten Championships, earning medals in all seven races, including six silvers across various categories.
Capping off the season, four athletes were named CRCA All-Americans, five received All-Big Ten honors, and two were recognized on the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
With such a strong foundation and a promising start, Rutgers women's rowing is poised for another standout season.