Following its victory at the 2009 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships this past weekend in Camden County, N.J., Stanford University earned the No. 1 ranking in the final USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division I Varsity Eight Coaches Poll of the year.

Stanford was the unanimous choice, earning all 25 first-place votes. University of Virginia ranked second, followed by University of California. Yale University and Brown University rounded out the top five.

USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing’s Official Suppliers are Hudson Boat Works and Boathouse Sports; its Official Patron is Concept2; its Official Electronics Outfitter is Nielsen Kellerman; its Official Timer is Powerhouse Timing; and its Preferred Printer is Sport Graphics Printing. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation. The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association’s official partner iswww.row2k.com.

Women’s NCAA Division I Varsity Eights

Rank Team (First-Place Votes) Total Previous Week

1. Stanford University (25) 500 1

2. University of Virginia 475 4

3. University of California 450 2

4. Yale University 425 3

5. Brown University 400 10

6. Princeton University 375 8

7. Michigan State University 350 7

8. University of Michigan 325 5

9. University of Southern California 300 16

10. Ohio State University 275 14

11. University of Washington 250 13

12. Clemson University 225 12

13. Harvard University 200 6

14. Dartmouth College 175 15

15. Oregon State University 150 11

16. University of Wisconsin 125 9

17. University of Iowa 91 17

18. University of Louisville 59 18

19. Washington State University 55 19

20. University of Minnesota 22 20

Others Receiving Votes: University of California at Los Angeles 12, Northeastern University 5, University of Pennsylvania 4, Bucknell University 1 and University of Central Florida 1.