### A Championship to Remember
**Head coach Kim Cupini** was brimming with excitement after the races, stating, “It was really exciting to watch our team and cheer for them. We just told the women that we wanted to have them in there and fight against Texas. We knew they were going to be fast.”
#### A Battle for the Crown
The pivotal **1V8+ event** set the stage for ultimate glory, with both Tennessee and Texas, ranked among the nation’s top four teams, fighting for the championship title. The Lady Vols got off to a strong start, leading the defending NCAA champions early on. However, they finished with a time of **6:15.586**, just over **three seconds** behind Texas’s winning pace of **6:12.420**.
#### Stellar Performances
In a remarkable display of athleticism, Tennessee secured three total event wins in this historic championship, alongside several impressive silver-medal finishes. The **Lady Vol 2V8+ crew** (6:24.809) celebrated the team’s most significant victory of the day, holding off Texas (6:26.430) to claim the first-ever SEC **2V8+ gold medal**.
Moreover, Tennessee excelled in the **third varsity events**, with both the **3V8+ and 3V4+ boats** conquering formidable competition from Texas, Alabama, and #24 Oklahoma. The **UT third varsity eight** crossed the finish line over **seven seconds** ahead of Texas, showcasing their dominance. In a nail-biting finish, the **Lady Vol 3V4+ boat** edged Texas by a mere **0.215 seconds**, one of the narrowest margins of the day.
### A Thriving Atmosphere
“It was an incredible venue, and Tennessee always rocks it at home,” said Cupini. “Seeing fans from other schools cheering on their teams was an added bonus.”
#### The Tight Races
Despite the overarching success, Texas managed to narrowly edge out Tennessee in the **1V4+ and 2V4+ races**. In the 1V4+, the Lady Vols finished just over **11 seconds** behind the Longhorns, while the **2V4+ event** saw Tennessee close the gap before Texas triumphed by a three-second margin.
### Looking Ahead
With this championship behind them, the Tennessee rowing team has their sights set on the **NCAA Championships**, scheduled for **May 30 – June 1** in Mercer, N.J. The team is determined to make their mark once again on the national stage.
### Final Race Results
**1V8+:**
1. #2 Texas (6:12.420)
2. **#4 Tennessee** (6:15.586)
3. #24 Oklahoma (6:31.921)
4. Alabama (6:36.331)
**2V8+:**
1. **#4 Tennessee** (6:24.809)
2. #2 Texas (6:26.430)
3. Alabama (6:43.847)
4. #24 Oklahoma (6:47.358)
**1V4+:**
1. #2 Texas (7:07.115)
2. **#4 Tennessee** (7:18.424)
3. Alabama (7:20.955)
4. #24 Oklahoma (7:30.897)
**2V4+:**
1. #2 Texas (7:12.120)
2. **#4 Tennessee** (7:15.377)
3. #24 Oklahoma (7:37.651)
4. Alabama (7:44.725)
**3V8+:**
1. **#4 Tennessee** (6:35.926)
2. #2 Texas (6:42.970)
3. Alabama (6:57.932)
4. #24 Oklahoma (7:00.702)
**3V4+:**
1. **#4 Tennessee** (7:19.123)
2. #2 Texas (7.19.338)
3. Alabama (7:58.842)
4. #24 Oklahoma (8:03.507)
### Meet the Athletes
**1V8+:** Patricia Menendez (coxswain), Thea Coull, Alex Pidgeon, Riley Ferdelman, Alice Fahey, Meg Flanagan, Nicole Campbell, Maylie Valiquette, Hannah Smith.
**2V8+:** Taryn Graves (coxswain), Channing Taner, Sheya Lavin, Abby Fowler, Stella Mirkovic, Ariella Jeffery, Hannah Richardson, Paige Reymann, Jamie Harris.
**1V4+:** Mykayla Fluster (coxswain), Giorgia Borriello, Paris Thornburg, Ūla Jonušaitė, Elizabeth Peberdy.
**2V4+:** Audrey Bast (coxswain), Sydney Harris, Kiana Worobey, Alexandra Axten, Bridget Sisul.
**3V8+:** Laila Irigoyen (coxswain), Tiara Dye, Grace Armstrong, Emarie Peacock, Evelyn Hedrick, Emma Flanagan, Megan Wood, Ava Mulholland, Maiya Birdling.
**3V4+:** Marissa Garcia (coxswain), Cailin Bolt, Kathryn Burton, Bernadette Lombardi, Maddie Becker.
For the latest updates and insights about the Tennessee rowing program, be sure to follow them on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Vol_Rowing), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vol_rowing/), and like their page on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TennesseeRowing).
