On Saturday, April 18, the Washington-Liberty High School crew team gathered at Columbia Island Marina to celebrate the christening of the girls team’s newest eight-person racing shell, named in honor of distinguished alumna and rowing pioneer Ellie Cochran, W-L Class of 1973.
Coaches, student-athletes, family members, and supporters assembled at the team’s boatyard for a ceremony recognizing Cochran’s historic contributions to the sport and her enduring legacy within the W-L rowing community.
Cochran was born and raised in Arlington, attending Walter Reed School, St. Ann’s Catholic School, Swanson Middle School, and Washington-Lee High School. In 1972, Cochran became the first girl in the nation to win a gold medal at the prestigious National Schoolboy Regatta, serving as coxswain for the W-L Varsity 2+ boat. At a time when opportunities for girls in competitive rowing were limited, her achievement helped pave the way for the establishment of W-L’s girls rowing program just a few years later, in 1975. She later coxed for the University of Virginia men’s team for two years, before its women’s team was established.
During Saturday’s ceremony, Cochran and team leaders shared remarks before officially christening the boat “Ellie Cochran” with a ceremonial toast wishing the shell safe passage and many victories to come.
“We were tossing around ideas for a name for the new boat, and I said, ‘I have an idea,’” recounted Bob Sheppard, W-L Crew Men’s Assistant Coach and fellow alumni who rowed with Cochran in the early 1970s. “I can still hear her proud mom’s voice in my ear saying Ellie was the first girl to ever win a medal at nationals.”
Cochran wore that storied medal to the ceremony and showed off her vintage coxswain’s megaphone from her rowing days. “I want to say how honored and humbled I am,” she said. “Crew at W-L was always so wonderful, and it’s so nice to see everybody here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
W-L Crew Head Coach Kara McPhillips reflected on the importance of connecting today’s athletes to the program’s history.
“Our rowers and coxswains benefit every day from the barriers Ellie helped break,” said McPhillips. “Naming this shell in her honor is a reminder to our athletes that they are part of a long legacy of leadership, grit, and excellence. We hope every crew that races in this boat feels inspired by the story behind its name.”
The christening followed a busy morning for the team at the TBC Bustle regatta in Georgetown, where W-L crews competed alongside other area high school teams before returning to Arlington for the ceremony.
The newly named shell will join W-L’s racing fleet this spring season and is expected to be a centerpiece of the girls program for years to come.
