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WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Stanford lightweight rowing team captured the 2015 IRA National Championship on Sunday, sweeping titles in both the varsity eight and varsity four.
"We knew how well we could do coming into the weekend," said head coach Derek Byrnes. "Seeing this good, hardworking group race within themselves and stay confident and composed, I don't know how to put it. It was awesome."
The national title was the fifth in the last sixth seasons for the Cardinal program. This was the first year that a team trophy was given for the lightweight women as the previous national champion was the winner of the varsity eight.
Stanford is the first school to sweep the lightweight women's varsity eight and varsity four events at the IRA National Championships. The win in the varsity four was the first in program history.
The senior class leaves with national titles in three of their four seasons, while head coach Derek Byrnes led the crew to the pinnacle of the sport in his first season on The Farm.
The championship for the varsity eight put the finishing touches on a perfect season. During the spring, the top Stanford boat did not lose a single race, going undefeated in 11 races.
"It is surreal," said senior Mackenzie Crist. "It was so exciting and a testament to all the hard work we have put in this year. It was exciting not just to win our race, but to see the four win and have it be a complete team national championship. There is nobody else I would ever want to row with. It has been a pleasure and honor to row with my teammates the last four years."
After a streak of four straight national titles came to an end by 0.5 seconds last year, the Cardinal was determined all season long to reclaim the top spot.
A convincing win in yesterday's semifinals set them up for a championship race that was never in doubt. They took a two-seat lead on Harvard early and by the 750 meter mark had opened up a 6-7 seat margin.
Princeton and Harvard looked to make a move with 750 meters to go and maybe gained two seats, but Stanford rowed with the same smooth rhythm they have rowed with all season long and pushed right back into a near boat length advantage.
Stanford crossed the finish line with a time of 6:32.236, nearly three seconds faster than second place Harvard and four seconds up on Boston University.
The varsity four had a similar race to the eight. Stanford got out to an early lead and by the first 500 meter mark they had stretched it out to a length. In the next 250 meters, the Cardinal kept moving and stretched the lead to open water.
With 500 meters to go, Wisconsin picked up the rate. However, Stanford had a substantial lead and kept rowing strong to finish on top by nearly four seconds.
"It was a very fun race," said senior Alicia Kapjian-Pitt. "I have a huge mixed bag of emotions. It was awesome we all won. We all are supportive and the entire team has a positive energy that really makes it fun to race and practice with each other."
Stanford's varsity four had only raced one time prior to the IRA National Championships, placing fourth at the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships. The four picked up plenty of speed in the last two weeks.
"The four hasn't raced much and Sarah (Hirshorn) was in stroke seat for the first time," said Byrnes. "They were composed and never pressed, rowing their race right from the gate."
The lightweight rowing team becomes the third Stanford team to win a national championship this season, joining women's water polo and women's golf.