SMU rowing finished eighth at the ACC Championship, with Kate Kulig earning third-team All-ACC honors after a gritty day at Lake Wheeler.
SMU rowing showed more fight at the ACC Rowing Championship, finishing eighth Saturday at Lake Wheeler Park in Raleigh while proving there’s still plenty of speed building inside the Mustang program.
The Mustangs scored 47 points, finishing 10 points clear of ninth-place Notre Dame and matching their eighth-place ACC finish from 2025. Stanford won the team title with 132 points, followed by Virginia, California and Syracuse.
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For SMU, the day was highlighted by graduate senior Kate Kulig earning third-team All-ACC honors. It was a fitting finish for one of the program’s veteran leaders after a season built on toughness, growth and refusing to stay comfortable.
SMU made its strongest pushes in the 2V4, 2V8 and 1V8 petite finals. The Mustangs placed second in the 2V4 with a time of 7:38.700, finishing ahead of Miami, Louisville, Clemson and Boston College.
The 2V8 also grabbed second in 6:41.550, beating Louisville, Clemson, Notre Dame and Boston College.
The varsity eight closed SMU’s racing day with another second-place finish, crossing in 6:29.520 behind North Carolina and ahead of Clemson, Louisville, Boston College and Notre Dame.
That result gave the Mustangs a strong final statement in one of the championship’s biggest races.
SMU also placed fourth in the 1V4 at 7:31.850 and fifth in the 3V8 at 7:13.870.
Head coach Chase Graham praised the Mustangs’ finish, noting the team improved from last year and kept pushing through the season.
Seniors Paige Horton, Tara Phelan, Francesca La Marca and Kulig all reflected on the bond of the group and the pride of ending the ACC Championship with a strong effort.
Now SMU waits for its NCAA Championship fate. The selection show is set for Tuesday, May 19 at 4 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
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