The Tennessee women’s rowing team concluded its outstanding 2025 season with a fifth-place overall finish at the NCAA Championships held on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, New Jersey, on Sunday morning. This result marks the second consecutive year that the team has placed in the top five at the national level under the guidance of head coach Kim Cupini, who is in her second year at the helm.
Building on the historic momentum from last year, when Tennessee finished third—the best result in program history—the team continued to reach new heights. The Lady Vols earned 106 points in the final standings, further establishing this period as the most successful two-year stretch the program has ever experienced. Before Cupini took over, Tennessee’s top finish at the NCAA Championships had been ninth place, achieved in 2007. In fact, the team had only made five previous appearances at the NCAA Championships before this recent surge in performance, none resulting in top-five results.
Throughout the 2025 season, the Lady Vols demonstrated consistent excellence, and their performance at this year’s championship event was no exception. The top varsity eight (1V8+) and varsity four (1V4+) boats both competed in the grand finals on Sunday, while the second varsity eight (2V8+) capped its season with a strong showing in the Petite Final, securing a victory.
The 1V8+ crew delivered a powerful race in the grand final, earning a fourth-place finish with a time of 6:10.912. They crossed the line behind No. 5 Yale, who won in 6:06.138, as well as No. 1 Stanford and No. 2 Texas. However, Tennessee managed to outpace other highly ranked programs, including No. 3 Washington (6:12.538) and No. 8 Brown (6:14.088). This marks the second straight year the first varsity eight has placed in the top five nationally, underscoring the consistency and competitiveness of the crew during Cupini’s tenure.
Meanwhile, the 1V4+ boat also competed in the grand final and finished sixth overall, posting a time of 7:12.228. This performance mirrored last year’s, making it the second consecutive year that this boat has placed in the NCAA top six, another sign of the program’s growing depth and strength across multiple events.
The second varsity eight (2V8+) added to the team’s impressive overall performance by claiming victory in the Petite Final. With a time of 6:24.586, Tennessee’s 2V8+ crossed the finish line ahead of several top-tier programs, defeating crews from five teams ranked in the national top 13. This result earned the 2V8+ a top-seven national placement for the second year in a row, reinforcing the squad’s upward trajectory.
All three boats’ accomplishments were instrumental in Tennessee’s overall fifth-place team finish. Their results across the weekend reflected not only raw speed and technical precision but also a culture of resilience and determination that has taken root under Coach Cupini’s leadership.
The consistency across the three crews—1V8+, 2V8+, and 1V4+—has been a critical factor in Tennessee’s continued success at the national level. In an event that showcases the very best collegiate rowing teams in the country, maintaining a high standard of performance across multiple boats is essential for securing a strong team finish. Tennessee’s ability to do so two years in a row is a testament to its athletes’ hard work, preparation, and dedication to the sport.
Cupini’s impact on the program is unmistakable. Since her arrival, Tennessee has reached new levels of competitiveness on the national stage. The back-to-back top-five finishes in the NCAA Championships not only mark a period of unprecedented success but also signal that Tennessee is emerging as a consistent national contender in collegiate rowing. Her coaching philosophy and ability to develop athletes across the lineup have clearly paid dividends, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
This season’s results show a well-rounded program with top performances not limited to just one standout boat. Whether it was the 1V8+ pushing ahead of perennial powerhouses like Washington and Brown, the 1V4+ earning another top-six finish, or the 2V8+ dominating in the Petite Final, each crew played a vital role in the team’s overall standing.
As the 2025 NCAA Championships come to a close, the Lady Vols leave Lake Mercer with much to be proud of. Their performance not only reinforces the progress made over the past two years but also sets a high standard for the seasons ahead. With strong leadership, experienced rowers, and a growing reputation on the national stage, Tennessee rowing is poised for continued success.
In summary, Tennessee’s fifth-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships caps an extraordinary two-year run under Coach Kim Cupini. With top-tier results across all three boats—including a fourth-place 1V8+ finish, a sixth-place 1V4+ result, and a 2V8+ victory in the Petite Final—the Lady Vols have solidified their place among the elite programs in collegiate rowing. Their back-to-back top-five national finishes represent the best stretch in program history, and the team’s upward momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
