Register staff and news reports

The University of Iowa women's rowing team finished its 2017 season on a high note Sunday during the NCAA championships at Lake Mercer.



The II Varsity 8 crew's laid down the fastest final 500-meter time in its race but finished in third place and 15th overall.



"Our second varsity didn't get off the line as clean as they wanted to so it put them in a little more of a hot contest early in the race," head coach Andrew Carter told Iowa athletics. "Yesterday they got off pretty cleanly and were able to lead the field. Today they had to battle it out in the critical third 500m and that seemed to affect how their race unfolded. Overall, though, I think it was the best race of the weekend for them."



The I Varsity 8 crew led in its hotly contested race until Washington State passed the team for the lead. This Hawkeye squad finished second in the race and 14th overall.

"With a 14th(-place) overall finish, the I Varsity 8 finished above their seed, and that was one of the goals so that's a bit of a victory," Carter said. "They led almost wire-to-wire with Washington State getting through on a terrific move in the closing stages. A credit to them and a credit to our crew for a terrific effort."



The I Varsity 4 crew held a big lead to begin its race but was eventually passed. Iowa IV4 finished their final in sixth position and a team-best 12th overall finish.



"We've been getting off the start line pretty quick this week and we did that again today," sophomore coxswain Logan Jones told Iowa athletics. "We got ahead in the first half and made everyone chase us. We gave it our all. I told them through the 1000 to leave it all on the course and I couldn't have asked for anything more from them. Coming in seeded 16th and finishing ahead of our seed, what more could you ask for? I'm proud of them. I couldn't have asked for a better crew."