March 16, 1999

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The 1998 season was a season for the Villanova crew history books with the schools first ever national championship in the Lightweight 8 at the IRA Championship. Among the other acheivements of the squad was an impressive showing at the Dad Vail Regatta where it earned both the womens points and overall points trophies. To finish off the spectacular season, the Wildcats were chosen to represent the U.S. at the prestigious Henley Regatta in London, England.

The tone was set early at the Villanova Invitational where the Wildcats took first place in six events, including both the lighweight 8 and 4. Heading to the West Coast, the Wildcats traveled to the San Diego Crew Classic were they finished third in the Col. Lt. Grand Final and sixth in the Cal Cup. Returning home, Nova captured medals at the Murphy, Kerr and Bergen Cup and set their sights on the Dad Vail Regatta.

The triumph of taking the overall points trophy at the Dad Vail was followed by the pinnacle of any student-athletes career, the Lightweight-8 National Championship at the IRA. The season was capped off with an inpressive showing at the Henley Regatta.

"This season was one I will never forget," said head coach Jack St. Clair. "Winning the National Championship fulfilled one of my major goals and to do it with such a fine group of young adults made it that much more special."