A Rapid Rise: The Story of Dartmouth Women’s Rowing
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As the Dartmouth women’s rowing team gathered for the NCAA Championship selection show, there was excitement and nervousness all wrapped into one. Then, the name Dartmouth popped up under at-large teams and every emotion rose to the surface. “I had high ambitions for this team,” said second-year head […]
As the Dartmouth women’s rowing team gathered for the NCAA Championship selection show, there was excitement and nervousness all wrapped into one.
Then, the name Dartmouth popped up under at-large teams and every emotion rose to the surface.
“I had high ambitions for this team,” said second-year head coach John Graves, The Elizabeth C. McNabb Head Coach of Women’s Rowing. “I laid out a pretty conservative plan for the first few years, but never expected us to be here in year two.
“It was surreal to see our name pop up in the selection show.”
— Dartmouth Women’s Rowing (@DartmouthWRow) May 20, 2025
A Quick Rise
This fall, alumna Emily Dreissigacker ’11 spoke to the team, touching on the last time Dartmouth reached the NCAA Championship in 2011.
“I very vividly remember sitting in the boat bay and thinking this is going to be so awesome for the team,” said fifth-year Jenna Martin.
At the time, Martin thought it was going to be awesome in a few years when the Big Green would return to NCAAs.
“I was excited about pushing the goal post, but I never would have believed that we would have made this big of a jump so quickly,” she said.
How did it happen?
Ironically enough, by not thinking about it.
“John has instilled a very strong feeling of enjoying the process and not thinking about the goal,” said Martin. “It almost feels like we accidentally found ourselves in this position, which obviously isn’t an accident. We’ve worked very hard for it.
“By enjoying the process, we weren’t focused on the finish line, but by focusing on the process each day, we were able to get there.”
“We’re incredibly proud of our entire women’s rowing program for buying into and trusting the process that John and his staff have led,” said Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation. “It was an easy decision after the conversation with him to appoint him as the head coach.”
A Turning Point
A significant step forward for the Big Green came at last season’s Ivy League Championship where the belief within the Dartmouth women’s rowing program reached a new level.
“In the varsity eight, we performed better than we had in the past (beating Harvard and reaching the grand finals), but we were still learning so much throughout that one regatta,” said Martin. “I feel like we picked up a lot of momentum.
That momentum carried over into 2025 in a big way.
“Going into this season, we knew we couldn’t take any steps back in terms of what we wanted to accomplish,” said junior Áine Ley. “The Princeton Chase was a very big race for us [this fall].”
The Princeton Chase featured time trials in which crews don’t know how they did in relation to the field until the very end. It was a true internally-focused regatta with a focus on the process.
“We got to the dock and John asked how we thought we did,” said Ley, a member of the varsity eight.
Áine Ley and Jenna Martin
They captured fourth.
“That was a pretty big affirmation that we could beat some of these historically pretty fast teams,” said Ley. “UVA was a team Dartmouth hadn’t beaten recently, and we beat them. That left us at the end of the fall in a really good spot.”
The Princeton Chase continued the belief within the Big Green that had been instilled at the previous year’s Ivy League Championship.
“I immediately broke out into tears [when hearing we finished fourth],” said Martin.
Spring, 2025 Season
The spring season began with the team’s camp in Florida.
“For the first time in my Dartmouth career, it didn’t feel like we had regressed after being off the water, whether that was over the winter or summer,” said Ley.
The momentum has continued all spring. The Big Green finished second at the Sarasota 2K, ahead of a number of highly-ranked teams, and went on to crack the top 20 in the national rankings for the first time since 2018. The varsity eight beat Columbia and hung tough with Harvard at Eastern Sprints before taking things to the next level at the Ivy League Championship.
Dartmouth finished second in its heat, which included beating perennial power Brown.
What worked?
A number of things, including fine tuning the lineup.
“Caroline Krantz joined the boat and was put into stroke seat, which is a very, very difficult position, especially for a first-year,” said Martin. “When I was a first-year, I stroked the varsity eight, was very nervous and felt overwhelmed.
“Caroline is an incredible rower. She has a very unquestionable rhythm,” Martin continued. “Her rowing is very robotic in the way that it’s very consistent, and she races with a very high level of maturity, which is very impressive.”
The Big Green carried the momentum forward from heats.
“It’s fun and exciting when you realize you’re up on Brown,” said Ley. “I think that fueled us a lot and gave us a lot more confidence going into the final that we could do this. We missed out on the medal (finishing fourth), but if you had told me a year ago, or even the beginning of the spring, that we’d be in contention for a medal, I probably wouldn’t have believed it.”
The Big Green finished fourth in team points as well, coming after finishing seventh the previous three seasons and sixth the two years before that.
Big day for the Big Green in Camden! Grand Final spots secured in the 1V8, 2V8, and 1V4, keeping the team’s postseason hopes alive.
Here’s a clip of the 1V8’s Heat where they finished second with a time of 6:09.4.
— Dartmouth Women’s Rowing (@DartmouthWRow) May 18, 2025
Always Getting Faster
Due to the colder climate in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth gets on the water very late compared to other Division I rowing teams. But one positive aspect is that the team is continually improving deep into May and June.
“Dartmouth is off the water longer than any team in the country,” said Graves. “I talk a lot about the fact that our team should be making progress faster than any other team in the country. Week-to-week, every week, we’re making big strides. From Sprints to Ivies, that’s another manifestation of it.
“Now, we have the privilege to spend even more time on the water going into NCAAs, which is going to advantage Dartmouth again,” Graves continued. “All our crews pride themselves on getting faster at a steeper trajectory than anyone in the country.”
Getting faster is exactly what the Big Green have done… for a number of reasons.
“From day one, John gave us a really clear technical model of the stroke he wanted us doing, explaining why and the science behind it,” said Ley. “That helped a lot of people get on board.”
As they say, the rest is history.
Finding the Fun Every Day
A focus on not only the process, but also finding the fun in coming to the boathouse every day has also been critical.
“The most important thing to reestablish was the love of the process and love of the journey,” said Graves. “If that was there, the team would get better, and who knows how far we could take it. I couldn’t have ever predicted that the group would have taken it as far as they have as quickly as they’ve done it.
“They’ve had fun training, they’ve had fun racing and when that’s in place, the sky is the limit.”
It has been an especially special season considering it’s the 50th Anniversary of Dartmouth women’s rowing, which was celebrated in the fall.
“That was such a special weekend for all of us,” said Ley. “John has been a huge proponent of gratitude for the opportunity to row every day, and also acknowledging all these amazing women who came before us. Having that in the back of our minds makes this all even more special. There’s been so much awesome support from so many people.”
As Graves said, reaching NCAAs has been an affirmation of all the hard work, but it’s not why he does what he does.
“All the things he said he would do, he’s implementing, and at the core of everything he talked about was his care about the student-athletes, finding ways to maximize their growth and potential as individuals within this bigger construct of the team,” said Harrity.
“A national championship, NCAAs or winning certain races wasn’t what drew me to this job, or coaching in general,” said Graves. “I felt like this team really needed to re-establish the joy of the training and the racing, particularly the racing. If you’re not loving lining up and racing side-by-side, then you’re in the wrong sport.
“When you have that joy in your process, what you’re doing and how you’re bringing that to your racing, things tend to go pretty well and you tend to go pretty fast,” Graves continued. “As an athlete that was so essential to me growing to my potential.”
Martin sees the way Dartmouth women’s rowing has aided in her growth as a person.
“I am very proud of the team, and I’m also very proud of John for preparing us in the way he has,” she said. “Looking at workouts we did over the winter, I just had to trust that it was the right thing to do. And now, looking back on it, I can see how it prepared us.”
As Martin said, she has learned something through rowing that will carry into the rest of her life.
“It doesn’t take brute force to do incredible things,” she said. “It takes working as harmoniously as we can, working together and bringing the strengths out of each other to come together and do something that’s bigger than all of us.”
Wisconsin, NIL collective sue Miami over alleged tampering, inducement | News, Sports, Jobs
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this upcoming season. Allegations of tampering rarely […]
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this upcoming season.
Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics.
The player in question in the filing is referred to only as “Student-Athlete A.” But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.
Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas’ name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall.
The situation is fallout from the rapid changes engulfing college athletics, specifically a combination of two things: Athletes went to court and won the ability to transfer with much more freedom and the 2021 NCAA decision clearing the way for them to strike NIL endorsement deals now worth millions of dollars. That has changed the recruiting landscape and forced the issue of contracts and signed commitments to the fore.
“Indeed, student-athletes’ newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,” a portion of the lawsuit reads.
Wisconsin said in January that it had credible information that Miami and Lucas made impermissible contact with each other before the former Badgers cornerback decided to transfer.
Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement for Lucas to attend Miami happened within days of him entering his NIL agreement to play for the Badgers, and that they incurred substantial monetary and reputational harm. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and “a declaration that Miami’s conduct directed towards Student-Athlete A constituted tampering.”
A message left with the University of Miami seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a text message Friday, Heitner declined to comment on the lawsuit but he said that Lucas still plans to attend Miami and play football.
Wisconsin said it had the support of its leadership and the Big Ten Conference in filing the lawsuit, noting its commitment to “ensuring integrity and fundamental fairness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.”
“While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,” the statement said. “In addition to our legal action, we will continue to be proactive to protect the interests of our student-athletes, our program and the broader collegiate athletics community.
Lucas, who is from Pompano Beach, Florida, had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season.
Heitner said that Lucas hasn’t received any money from Wisconsin and therefore owes no money to the school.
Heitner also argued that Wisconsin had violated an NCAA bylaw by not entering Lucas into the transfer database within two business days of the player’s request.
Wisconsin issued a statement at the time saying it hadn’t put Lucas’ name in the portal because he had entered a two-year binding NIL agreement.
In April, the surprise transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA prompted fresh questions about contracts and buyouts.
Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, walked away from a reported $2.4 million NIL contract. Arkansas freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices wrapped up.
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek released a statement indicating he would support efforts by the Razorbacks’ NIL collective to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 upon signing with Arkansas.
Several Potential Suitors Named For Panthers’ Brad Marchand
Brad Marchand is one of the top pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who can hit the market on July 1. Both the Florida Panthers and Marchand have expressed interest in getting a new contract done. However, with Panthers stars Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also needing new deals, there is certainly a possibility that No. […]
Brad Marchand is one of the top pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who can hit the market on July 1. Both the Florida Panthers and Marchand have expressed interest in getting a new contract done. However, with Panthers stars Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also needing new deals, there is certainly a possibility that No. 63 could end up becoming a UFA at the start of next month.
After the playoff run Marchand just had, he would be a very popular target if he became available on the free-agent market. The 37-year-old winger has proven that he is still a star and that he can still step up big time in games that matter most.
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Due to this, in his most recent 32 Thoughts column, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned several potential suitors for Marchand if the Panthers are unable to re-sign him by July 1. These teams include the Utah Mammoth, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals.
The Mammoth making a push for Marchand would be understandable, as they could use a star winger like him as they look to take that next step and become a playoff team. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs, Kings, Devils, and Capitals also make sense as possible suitors, as they each are playoff-caliber teams with high expectations for next year. Thus, bringing in a clutch playoff performer like Marchand would be huge for them.
Nevertheless, it is going to be intriguing to see what happens between Marchand and the Panthers this off-season. If Florida is unable to keep him around, it’s clear that the future Hall of Famer will have plenty of other options to consider.
Brad Marchand Has Big Message For Panthers GM Bill Zito
Brad Marchand Has Big Message For Panthers GM Bill ZitoBrad Marchand is one of the
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Florida Panthers’ top pending unrestricted free agents (UFA) with the summer here. The star winger has undoubtedly increased his value after his marvelous playoff run, as he recorded 10 goals, 20 points, and a plus-17 rating in 23 games. With this, he was one of the major reasons why the Panthers were able to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Rutgers University currently fields 24 teams in the Big Ten Conference, which range from the major revenue sports of football and basketball to swimming, diving, volleyball, and golf. But if Rutgers were to add more athletic programs, which ones would make the most sense? We came up with a short list here, with men’s volleyball, […]
Rutgers University currently fields 24 teams in the Big Ten Conference, which range from the major revenue sports of football and basketball to swimming, diving, volleyball, and golf. But if Rutgers were to add more athletic programs, which ones would make the most sense? We came up with a short list here, with men’s volleyball, crew, swimming & diving, gymnastics, and ice hockey taking the top spots.
Men’s Volleyball
Rutgers has a Division 1 women’s volleyball program, which recently competed in an overseas tour against European pro teams, yet does not have a men’s squad. As well-known as women’s volleyball is in the college landscape, men’s volleyball is just as exciting. Rutgers-Newark has a volleyball team, and Rutgers has a successful men’s club volleyball team that competes against other colleges. Some of the top teams in women’s volleyball are members of the Big Ten conference, including Penn State and Nebraska, and the conference should add men’s volleyball to the mix. Matches can happen at basketball venues throughout the conference, just as women’s volleyball games do.
Men’s Gymnastics
Gymnasts amaze at the Olympics every four years, and the Big Ten has a robust men’s gymnastics competition involving several of the conference’s marquee schools, ending in the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. The Rutgers women’s gymnastics team recently hired a new coach, Anastasia Candia, and the program qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2014 this past year. Although both men and women compete in vault and floor exercise, men’s gymnastics brings many other competitions to the table, many of which emphasize upper body strength. Pommel horse, still rings, and parallel and horizontal bars are events that men compete on that women do not, making men’s gymnastics an event that fans would enjoy seeing. As does women’s gymnastics, men’s gymnastics can compete at Jersey Mike’s Arena for their home meets.
Men’s Swim and Dive
Swimmers and divers are a main staple of the Olympics, and similar to gymnastics, the Big Ten has a comprehensive men’s swim and dive schedule, including many of its teams hosting invitationals throughout the year before conference and national championships. The Rutgers women’s swim and dive team hosts meets at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center on campus, and even made waves recently, with synchronized divers Bailee Sturgill & Katerina Hoffman claiming the gold medal at the Canada Diving Cup. Similar to men’s gymnastics, Rutgers could produce athletes who go on to compete on the national stage in men’s swimming and diving, making it a top program to invest in.
Ice Hockey
This one is a very tall ask of the university, but it would still be fun to have at Rutgers. Nearby schools, such as Penn State, Boston College, and Boston University, have electric crowds for their Hockey games. New Jersey is a state full of Hockey fans, and since there is no major college hockey power in the state, there is enough of an audience to be sustainable. Rutgers does have an Ice Hockey team loosely linked to the University; however, they play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, which is a very small D1 conference. They also play 30 minutes off campus in Monmouth Junction at Proskate Arena. The Big Ten has a hockey conference that Rutgers could move into if it elevated their program.
This one is more far-fetched because Rutgers would have to build the team their own rink. With that being said, a Big Ten level hockey team has serious potential to garner support at Rutgers.
Crew
This one should be less of a sport that Rutgers should add and more like a sport they should bring back. Rutgers has such a rich history with its Crew team, one that should have never been taken away. Several Olympic athletes spent their time on the RU crew team. New Jersey is a hotbed for high school crew teams when compared to other states. Rutgers does have a Crew team that is still well supported by its alumni. In their previous efforts to be restored to varsity status, Crew didn’t even ask the university to fund their scholarships. The money is there, the support is there. There isn’t much of an investment that needs to be made when it comes to equipment and facilities. Why not bring back one of the most storied programs at Rutgers?
Ex-Ohio State Football Player Kirk Barton Charged in Deadly Ohio Car Crash
Former Ohio State offensive lineman Kirk Barton is facing an aggravated vehicular manslaughter charge following a fatal crash early Saturday morning, according to multiple reports. Police in Dublin, Ohio, say Barton is suspected of speeding, although they haven’t said how fast they suspect him of driving, when his truck hit a car at 2:56 a.m. […]
Former Ohio State offensive lineman Kirk Barton is facing an aggravated vehicular manslaughter charge following a fatal crash early Saturday morning, according to multiple reports.
Police in Dublin, Ohio, say Barton is suspected of speeding, although they haven’t said how fast they suspect him of driving, when his truck hit a car at 2:56 a.m. ET. The driver of that car, 24-year-old Ethan Wence Perry, died at the scene, ESPN reported Saturday.
Barton was driving a Ford F-150 Raptor pickup eastbound on U.S. 33 before he crashed into Perry’s westbound Lexus on West Bridge Street, just west of Franklin Street, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Barton, 40, was hospitalized briefly with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. He was later taken to Franklin County Jail, where he is facing the felony charge. Barton has a court hearing on June 23.
Barton was an offensive lineman for Ohio State from 2003-2007 and started at right tackle for four seasons. In his final season with the Buckeyes in 2007, he was team captain for the 11-2 Big Ten championship-winning OSU team.
Barton went on to play in the NFL, being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Barton has a history of traffic offenses dating back to his first year in the NFL, per The Columbus Dispatch’s report, including speeding and suspicion of OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired).
In all the speeding cases, Barton paid a fine. One OVI charge from 2010 was dismissed, and another from 2017 was pleaded down to reckless operation and failure to stop. He received another fine and a 180-day license suspension.
This is a developing story.
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Kirby Smart Faces Emotional Challenge After Losing 18 Key Players
Kirby Smart’s Recruiting Resilience In the high-stakes world of college football, the emotional toll of losing key players can weigh heavily on a coach. Kirby Smart, head coach of the University of Georgia, has recently navigated the unsettling aftermath of losing 18 pivotal players. This mass exodus has not only reshaped his roster but has […]
In the high-stakes world of college football, the emotional toll of losing key players can weigh heavily on a coach. Kirby Smart, head coach of the University of Georgia, has recently navigated the unsettling aftermath of losing 18 pivotal players. This mass exodus has not only reshaped his roster but has also posed significant challenges on the recruiting front. Yet, in the face of adversity, Smart has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a formidable team.
Navigating the Fallout of Player Departures
The departure of such a substantial number of athletes is not merely a logistical headache; it carries with it a profound emotional impact. Each player lost represents not just a statistic but a unique story, a personal connection, and a piece of the team’s identity. Smart, who has built his reputation on cultivating strong relationships with his players, is undoubtedly feeling the weight of these losses. The emotional cost of such a transition can be staggering, often leading to a period of adjustment as the team seeks to redefine its culture and cohesion.
A Surge in Recruiting Success
Despite the challenges, Smart has quickly shifted gears on the recruiting trail, showcasing his ability to adapt and strategize under pressure. In a remarkable display of determination, he secured commitments from four highly sought-after recruits within just a week in June. This impressive feat serves as a testament to his recruiting prowess and the enduring appeal of the Georgia program. Smart’s ability to attract top talent speaks volumes about his vision for the future, even in the wake of significant roster changes.
The NIL Factor in Modern College Football
Central to Smart’s current recruiting strategy is the emerging landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, which have transformed how college athletes are compensated. The challenge of navigating this new terrain is compounded by financial limitations; a staggering $220,000 NIL hurdle stands in the way of securing a pivotal recruit. This figure underscores the competitive nature of college football today, where financial incentives can heavily influence a player’s decision to join a program.
Smart’s clear stance on NIL reflects a broader philosophy that prioritizes the integrity of the program while still striving to remain competitive. His approach highlights the delicate balance coaches must strike between fostering player development and adapting to the evolving dynamics of recruitment.
Looking Ahead: Building a New Legacy
As Kirby Smart continues to chart a path forward for the Georgia Bulldogs, the journey will be marked by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. While the emotional cost of losing 18 key players cannot be understated, it has also opened the door for new opportunities and fresh talent. The challenge of rebuilding is daunting, yet it is also a chance for Smart to redefine his legacy and solidify his vision for the program.
In the ever-changing landscape of college football, Smart’s ability to navigate these complexities will ultimately determine the future success of his team. As he embraces the challenge ahead, the focus remains on fostering a new generation of athletes who can carry the torch and uphold the proud tradition of Georgia football. The road may be fraught with obstacles, but with each recruiting victory, Smart inches closer to crafting a new chapter in the storied history of the Bulldogs.
SUNY Sullivan Athletics receives NJCAA Opportunity Grant
LOCH SHELDRAKE- The National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) has awarded a $2,000 NJCAA Opportunity Grant to SUNY Sullivan’s athletics program. This competitive grant will directly support the development of the College’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs beginning in Fall of 2025, helping to expand athletic offerings and increase student participation in collegiate sports. The […]
LOCH SHELDRAKE- The National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) has awarded a $2,000 NJCAA Opportunity Grant to SUNY Sullivan’s athletics program. This competitive grant will directly support the development of the College’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs beginning in Fall of 2025, helping to expand athletic offerings and increase student participation in collegiate sports.
The NJCAA Opportunity Grant aims to enhance equity and access in two-year college athletics by providing financial support to programs that are building or expanding sports opportunities for student-athletes. Its initiatives include funding scholarships, supporting program development, and promoting equity and access in collegiate athletics. The grant will assist SUNY Sullivan with essential resources needed to launch and sustain the soccer teams.
“The NJCAA Foundation is excited to further support the growth of NJCAA member colleges and the sport programs they offer through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant,” said Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “The ability to provide this funding is a testament to the importance and growth of two-year collegiate athletics. The NJCAA Foundation looks forward to this initiative’s impact as NJCAA member colleges continue to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country.”
Collegiate athletics play a vital role in higher education by promoting student engagement, academic success, and leadership development both on and off the field. Athletics also serve as a cornerstone of campus life, fostering school spirit and pride within the community.
“I am very excited to see the addition of both Men’s and Women’s Soccer at SUNY Sullivan,” said SUNY Sullivan Interim Director of Athletics Simon Clement. “This is an extremely popular and fast growing sport in Sullivan County. Offering Soccer will provide a new pathway for student-athletes to enhance their education and playing career at their local community college.”
