Johnny NorfleetYale and Stanford are clearly a head above the rest. I give the slight edge to the returning champions but look for these two teams to occupy 1st and 2nd at any event they attend this spring
Johnny NorfleetStanford is clearly a standout top 2 team alongside Yale. They proved they can win in both the women's and coed discipline with nearly identical rosters. This team will be better tested than most women's teams this spring and have a good shot at dethroning the multi time defending champs
Johnny NorfleetThe hurt of graduating multi year starters in Bayless and McCarthy will clearly be felt, but Brown has a lot of young talent and should rebound quickly with a strong coed team as sparring partners. I have this team in 4th until Dartmouth, Harvard, or any others can prove otherwise
Johnny NorfleetThey are returning nearly all of their players and should only be stronger this year. With some roster movement in the teams that were better last spring, I see BC as early favorites to return to the podium in 2024
Johnny NorfleetThe extremely underwhelming performance at 2023 nationals was an anomaly for a team that have been podium contenders for the last two years. They can easily return to their 2022 success and have podium upside
Johnny NorfleetCornell are early favorites to repeat as MAISA champs and return most of their starters from last year. Bolstered by a 3rd place at ACCs this past fall, they should be quick and even more disciplined. I expect them to mix it up with the top NEISA teams
Johnny NorfleetThe Harvard squad had a tough 2023 season due in part to Marbella Marlo splitting her times between women's skipper and coed crew. Though that will likely remain the same this year, this is a very talented team who I expect to be amongst the top teams when they are at their best. And what better place to be at your best than holding a national championship at your home venue!
Johnny NorfleetMIT will take a step back with the loss of Dana Haig but should be able to maintain a position amongst the top 5 teams in NEISA. Stronger seasons from the talented Harvard and Dartmouth squads should pose a greater threat to MIT than was the case last year.
Johnny NorfleetPenn barely missed out on the final 6 at the 2023 nationals and are returning their entire starting roster. That said, they will have some more competition in MAISA between Georgetown and Navy and will have a harder time beating schools like Harvard and Dartmouth when they are at their best. The ceiling is very high for this group but they will likely face more competition to get back to where they were last year
Johnny NorfleetAnother team returning nearly all of their starters, Charleston already has an early win under their belt in 2024. I expect this team to make a push this spring and contend with the middle of NEISA and the best of MAISA
Johnny NorfleetTulane loses a few key players from last year but have had an influx of young talent on both the coed and women's squads. Like their coed team, they should benefit from an early start to the practice season and an easy pathway to qualification.
Johnny NorfleetBowdoin losing Lizzy Kaplan will make it harder to beat out the best NEISA teams but they should be able to challenge schools like Coast Guard, Navy, and Georetown for a berth to nationals
Johnny NorfleetCoast Guard was the best team not at nationals last spring and are returning many of their starting players. I expect them to be improved this year with a better team race schedule and they should be contenders for their first nationals berth
Johnny NorfleetThe Tufts team starts the year firmly on the outside looking in to the bubble nationals teams. But any NEISA team that puts together a couple good regattas stands a chance of earning recognition from the selectors.
Johnny NorfleetA fast team that has been buoyed by recent fleet race successes. They are a bit of an unknown quantity on the national circuit but Navy could definitely surprise some teams
