JRN launches US collegiate rankings

JRN is proud to release the first set of rankings ahead of the 2025 spring season. 

Since the 1930s, college sports across the United States have been ranked by members of the media to determine the runners and riders in the lead up to the national championships. These rankings are a key part of discourse around football, basketball and baseball, but the oldest collegiate sport – rowing – has never had such a poll.

The 2025 season will see JRN set up and publish this set of rankings on a weekly basis. This will rank the top 20 men’s and women’s D1 programmes across the country.

This group of experienced writers, commentators, podcasters, and photographers from across the sport will each rank their top twenty programmes. These will be amalgamated to form the JRN Media Poll, sponsored by WinTech and King Racing.

Women’s Rankings

*Others receiving votes on multiple ballots: USC (29), Oklahoma (24), Alabama (23), UCF (21), Gonzaga (20), Oregon State (20), Clemson (13), Cornell (13), Notre Dame (11), UC San Diego (8), George Washington (7), SMU (6)

On the women’s side, defending champions Texas lead the way, with the highest number of first place votes. The defending national champions will be seeking their fourth title in just five years – a feat that has never been accomplished before. 

Behind them it is far closer as Stanford edge out Washington by just one point to retain their number two spot. The Cardinal has finished first or second at the last four NCAA championships, but the Washington Huskies’ impressive recruiting class and phenomenal results at the Head of the Charles have turned many heads.

Further down the rankings, Tennessee must convince some members of the panel that their breakout 2024 third place finish was not just a flash in the pan. They rank seventh, while Virginia starts their campaign in the top ten, with new head coach Wesley Ng helping them leap over his old programme in Penn.

Men’s Rankings

*Others receiving votes on multiple ballots: Holy Cross (13), San Diego (12), UC San Diego (9), MIT (5), Jacksonville (4), Colgate (4)

For the men, defending champions Washington will start their defence as the number two team in the nation. Returning Olympians at California propel the golden bears back to the preseason number one spot, reinforced by their early season results at Redwood Shores.

Harvard are the best of the east coast, ranking third overall and receiving first-place votes on the back of their return to form in 2024. Dartmouth are strong risers in this poll at sixth overall as a great fall saw them finish third overall at the Head of the Charles. 

Check back here each week to see the poll and discover how our panel of experts have evaluated the racing. 

Keep an eye out for our podcast All-American Rowing for interviews, analysis and previews to stay on top of everything going on in the US collegiate circuit.

About The Author

Fraser Innes

Fraser joined the JRN team in September 2022 and regularly writes about domestic and international rowing with particular specialisation on US Collegiate Rowing having launched JRN’s coverage and being a staple on the End of the Island’s series on the topic. He has been involved with the sport since 2016 at George Heriot’s School and the Universities of Glasgow and Wisconsin.

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