KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Rowing won its second consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship and the 11th in program history on Saturday afternoon in Pennsauken, N.J. 

The Rams, who competed on the Cooper River, clinched the conference crown when the Varsity 8+ won its race by a three-second margin. Rhody had entered the race with a one-point advantage over George Washington, who ultimately finished second in the team standings. In its final year competing in the Atlantic 10, UMass finished third overall. 

Hailey Pardi, Bella Bruno, Bethany Nordstrom, Amanda Cubit, Nora Lake, Emma Barnhart, Abigail Galayda, Brigid McShea and coxswain Ellie McGee had the fastest Varsity 8+ heat time by about two seconds and improved on that margin in the Grand Final. After a strong starting sequence, URI kept the Revolutionaries at bay for the remainder of the race and sealed the team's victory. 

The Second Varsity 8+ put the team in position to win the title, claiming gold in its race and awarding the Rams their first lead in the overall standings. Jasmyn Hayes, Emma Larsh, Irma Accius, Emma Brookins, Liz Mayer, Sage Sabatino, Maddy Papik, Payton Klein and coxswain Evelyn Tabor crossed the finish line about three seconds ahead of GW. 

Rhode Island had collected its first seven points of the regatta in the Varsity 4+ Grand Final, where the lineup of Maia Hembruff, Anna Smith, Costanza Proietti, Ava Hohl and coxswain Lily Stasaitis earned a bronze medal. The Minutewomen and the Revolutionaries took the top two spots.

Rhody's Third Varsity 8+ also landed on the podium, finishing third in its final. The Rams had contact with second-place GW in a competitive race. 

The Rams placed three on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team as Bella Bruno, Bethany Nordstrom and Hailey Pardi earned spots. Abigail Galayda landed on the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team. For the 10th time in her career, Shelagh Donohoe was named the league's Coach of the Year. 

With the win, Rhode Island has earned the Atlantic 10's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship for the eighth time in program history. Racing will take place from Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1 on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J.

URI will learn of its seeding during the NCAA Selection Show, which is scheduled for a 5 p.m. airing on the NCAA website on Tuesday, May 20. 

Team Standings
1. Rhode Island - 52
2. George Washington - 48
3. UMass - 38
4. Saint Joseph's - 35
5. La Salle - 31
6. Fordham - 28
7. Duquesne - 20
8. Mason - 12
9. Dayton - 0 

Rhode Island Racing Results
Third Varsity 8+ - Grand Final
1. UMass - 7:33.5
2. George Washington - 7:46.0
3. Rhode Island - 7:49.3
4. Fordham - 8:09.5
5. Duquesne - 8:24.0

Varsity 4+ - Grand Final
1. UMass - 7:45.6
2. George Washington - 8:02.1
3. Rhode Island - 8:08.4
4. Saint Joseph's - 8:24.8
5. Duquesne - 8:30.9
6. Fordham - 8:58.0

Second Varsity 8+ - Grand Final
1. Rhode Island - 6:46.2
2. George Washington - 6:49.0
3. UMass - 6:52.8
4. Fordham - 7:03.4
5. La Salle - 7:08.7
6. Saint Joseph's - 7:16.1

Varsity 8+ - Grand Final 
1. Rhode Island - 6:40.6
2. George Washington - 6:43.8
3. Saint Joseph's - 6:46.1
4. La Salle - 6:46.3
5. UMass - 6:52.7
6. Fordham - 7:01.1

Varsity 4+ - Heat 2
1. Rhode Island - 8:02.0
2. George Washington - 8:04.6
3. Saint Joseph's - 8:12.1
4. La Salle - 8:26.0

Second Varsity 8+ - Heat 2
1. Rhode Island - 7:05.0
2. UMass - 7:15.6
3. Saint Joseph's - 7:20.7
4. Duquesne - 7:28.7

Varsity 8+ - Heat 2
1. Rhode Island - 6:48.2
2. Saint Joseph's - 6:51.0
3. Fordham - 7:03.1
4. Duquesne - 7:11.1