2007-2008 Outlook and History
2007-08 Outlook
After placing fourth in the 2006 NCAA Championship but graduating eleven seniors, the 2007 team began the year in "rebuilding" mode. The Pioneers had plenty of training time but with two races cancelled because of bad weather, including the traditional Seven Sisters Regatta, the group had to enter winter training with only the varsity eight having competed in the Head of the Charles collegiate eight.
The Pioneers' work ethic over the winter, sense of humor about conditions out of their control and dedication to their golas, fueled tough prctices and fast races in the spring. The racing squad consisted of two novice eights and two varsity eights. Each race the crews gained speed and experience. Smith placed second in the NEWMAC Championship behind a fast crew from Coast Guard.
At the New England Championships, the Smith crews rowed solid performances with the combined team effort leading to a fourth place points trophy finish for women. The team was poised to continue their improvement at the ECAC Championships, but weather intervened once again. While crews rowed their heats, the varsity eight dropped to fourth in a tight heat, losing to eventual grand final contenders William Smith, Mary Washington and Bates. Unfortunately for Smith, those three crews gained NCAA bids while the Pioneers did not.
While eight seniors graduated in 2007, the team returns a core group of strong varsity and novice team members and with the addition of a fast group of first year athletes, Smith crew is poised to not only retake Seven Sisters and NEWMAC titles, but hungry to do the work necessary to return to the 2008 NCAA Championship.
Team Honors
| Year | Seven Sisters | NEWMAC | New Englands | ECAC | NCAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | Cancelled due to weather | ||||
| 2006-07 | Cancelled due to weather | 2nd | 8th place | Cancelled due to weather | |
| 2005-06 | 2nd | Champion | 4th | 3rd | 4th |
| 2004-05 | Champion | Champion | 3rd | 3rd | 2nd |
| 2003-04 | Champion | Champion | Champion | Champion | 2nd |
| 2002-03 | 2nd | 3rd | 7th | 14th | |
| 2001-02 | Champion | Champion | 5th | 5th | 6th |
| 2000-01 | Cancelled | 2nd | 10th | 13th | |
| 1999-00 | Champion | Champion | 9th | 13th | |
| 1998-99 | Champion | Champion | 8th | 10th | |
| 1997-98 | 3rd | Champion | 6th | 15th | 13th |
Past 10 year history only.
Seven Sisters and NCAA finishes are based on team points while the NEWMAC, New England and ECAC lists results of the varsity boat.
