Coach Siddall, Women's Rowing Staff Receive CRCA Regional Recognition

MEDFORD, MA (June 10, 2024) -- Tufts University head coach Lily Siddall and the women's rowing coaching staff, who directed the Jumbos through a remarkable 2023-24 season including winning the program's first NCAA Championship, have been recognized by the College Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) as the Division III New England Region Coach of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year.

Joining Siddall in directing the Jumbos this year were assistant coaches Ethan Maines, Julia Walters, Brian Dawe and Dania Bogdanovic.

Promoted to interim head coach of the Tufts women's rowing team following the departure of former Director of Rowing at Tufts Noel Wanner in August 2023, Siddall and her staff guided a talented Tufts team through a year of historic firsts for the Jumbos. They won the Collegiate Eights event at the Head of the Charles in October to start. In the spring, the Jumbos vaulted to the #1 position in the Pocock CRCA Division III national poll. Once the championship season started, the Jumbos won the Points Trophy at both the New England Rowing Championships and the National Invitational Rowing Championships. They also captured their first New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title, which earned the team an automatic berth into the NCAA Championships.

On June 1, behind a dominating performance from the first varsity eight, the Tufts University Women's Rowing Team won the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship at Harsha Lake in Bethel, Ohio. Tufts won the first varsity race and was second in the second varsity competition. The Jumbos earned 54 points, ahead of Wesleyan University and Williams College who tied for second with 47 scores.

Siddall joined the Jumbo staff for the 2019-20 season and was an assistant women's coach until August 2023. She was also selected as NESCAC Coach of the Year this spring. As the CRCA's New England Coach and Staff of the Year, the Jumbo leadership is under consideration for the CRCA's National Coach of the Year honors which will be announced soon.