This year’s trip is different. For the first time, the Bobcats are the favorites to win the Division III crown.

“They know this is certainly a winnable race for them, and they have every expectation of performing at a level that will produce a win,” Bates College coach Peter Steenstra said. “For the first time, (Williams is) the underdog and we are expected to win. That’s never been the case before.”

Two weeks ago, Bates was in its familiar role of underdog at the National Invitational Rowing Championship, which serves as the ECAC and NESCAC championship regatta. For the first time, Bates’ first varsity eight won the grand final, and by an impressive margin of 3.677 seconds over nemesis Williams. Bates’ second eight put down the hammer in its own grand final, beating second-place Trinity by 8.205 seconds, with Wesleyan and Williams well behind the Bantams. Bates’ third varsity eight won its grand final by more than eight seconds as well.

Since then, Bates has returned to campus to train.

“We had really good wins against Williams and Trinity and everyone else two weeks ago, and I know we’re faster than we were two weeks ago, Steenstra said.”

With the win, Bates moved to No. 1 in the Division III rankings, which in turn pits the Bobcats against fourth-ranked Wellesley in Friday morning’s preliminary heat.

Saturday features the grand finals, where the medals are earned. The second varsity grand final is slated for 11 a.m., followed by the first varsity grand final at 11:20.