Loyola Crew Shines at Midwest Rowing Championships

In the Women's First Varsity Eight division, Loyola turned in a strong race and held off a late charge from St. Mary's of Orchard Lake to secure a second-place finish and qualify for the National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, over Memorial Day weekend.

Loyola's Women's Second Varsity Eight also raced exceptionally well, battling New Trier from start to finish. Although Loyola finished just feet behind the Trevians to earn silver, the crew qualified for Nationals and will have another opportunity to compete against top programs from across the country.

The Women's Novice Eight delivered a determined performance in a highly competitive field. Despite rowing an all-freshman boat in a division open to first-year rowers from all grade levels, Loyola battled boats from Michigan and New Trier throughout the race. In a thrilling finish, Loyola captured second place by just a few feet over Pioneer High School and New Trier — the highest finish ever for Loyola's Women's Novice Eight at the Midwest Championships.

Later in the day, Loyola's First Freshman Eight competed in the Women's Freshman Eight division, an event New Trier had dominated for 15 consecutive years. Loyola stayed even with the reigning national champion Trevians through the first half of the race before finding another gear in the final 500 meters to pull away from the field and capture the program's first-ever gold medal in the Women’s Freshman Eight division.

Loyola's Women's First Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, and Freshman Eight will all compete at the National Championships over Memorial Day weekend.

Go Ramblers!