MARIETTA, Ohio – The cheers could be heard echoing through Ban Johnson Arena Monday (May 14) evening as the Marietta College women's rowing team heard their name announced on the NCAA Division III Championship selection show. The Pioneers will travel to West Windsor, N.J. May 25-27 for their shot at the national championship.

“This is a historic moment for Marietta College and the Mid-Atlantic Region,” Marietta Head Coach Kelly Harris said. “This is the first bid a team from our region has received to the championship since Division III started a separate championship in 2002.”

Marietta will try to unseat Williams College, winners of the last six national titles. The Pioneers received one of six team bids and will field a varsity 8+ and a second varsity 8+ shell.

"It has been our goal all season long to get both boats to the NCAA Championship," senior #Kelli Barnette (Parkersburg, W.Va./South)# said. "We have worked so hard this season and we will be ready to compete for the national champioonship."

This will be Marietta's third NCAA appearance in women's rowing. The Pioneers rowed in the 1999 NCAA Championship when it was an event that combined NCAA Division I, II and III into one national title. The championship was split into three separate championships, decided by division, in 2002.

A year ago, Marietta's varsity 8+ shell received one of two at-large bids reserved for varsity Eight crews from schools that did not receive one of the six team bids.

Fans can follow the action from the 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Rowing Championship by visiting www.ncaa.com.