Three-Peat

GOLD RIVER, Calif. – Three-Peat!
 
Stanford lightweight rowing won its third consecutive Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship Sunday at Lake Natoma. 
 
Under the direction of first-year head coach Kate Bertko, the Cardinal won all three of its Grand Final races by open water Sunday to claim the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders Trophy that is presented annually to the IRA Champions. Stanford, which also won the IRA team title in 2015 and 2016 under Derek Byrnes, totaled 72 points Sunday to finish nine-points ahead of Boston University in the team standings.  
 
Stanford's third consecutive title was its seventh all-time. The Cardinal owns the most women's lightweight rowing national championships in the history of the sport. Wisconsin is second with five.

Stanford wins the @IRARowingChamps team title for the third consecutive year! ?????? #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/j73cyyllEe

— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 4, 2017

 
"It has been really great getting to know each of the women on this team throughout the year and having an opportunity to celebrate a national championship with them is awesome," Bertko said. "These women have worked so hard all season. It was special to see them be rewarded with today's performances. I appreciate all the support Stanford and each of the coaches have given me throughout the year. I am so happy for these women and this program."   
 
It was a banner day for the Cardinal, which surged ahead of the field in each of its Grand Final races on Sunday to capture the win by open water in each race.
 
The lightweight eight began taking seats on the field early in its Grand Final, leading Boston and Princeton by several seats at the 250-meter mark. By 500 meters, the Cardinal eight had opened a length lead. By 750 meters, Stanford owned an open-water advantage on the field. The Cardinal crossed the finish line in 6:25.396, igniting a celebration in the boat and on the shore as the Stanford program cheered its national championship. The Cardinal won the Grand Final by more than five seconds over second-place Boston (6:30.608) to secure its third consecutive and seventh lightweight eight title in the last eight years.
 

The eight wins the title by open water! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/NBcxXFKdG0

— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 4, 2017

The Cardinal four was locked in a tight dual with Wisconsin early on its Grand Final. Stanford gained the advantage just before the midpoint of the course and extended its lead to six seats as the boats entered the final 1,000 meters. The Cardinal continued to surge, creating an open-water lead on the field, en route to the championship finish. Stanford completed the course in 7:20.916, with a nearly seven-second win over second-place Wisconsin (7:27.638).
 

The four wins the @IRARowingChamps title! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/Aj9YMSMDWM

— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 4, 2017

The double traded places at the front with Wisconsin early on its Grand Final, before pushing its bow ball in the lead for good. The Cardinal opened a length lead on the field by 750 meters and extended it to an open-water advantage by the midpoint of the course. Stanford crossed the line in 7:34.700, winning by more than 10 seconds. Wisconsin finished second with a time of 7:45.259.
 

The double wins the @IRARowingChamps title! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/0LGFzO2ma7

— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 4, 2017

Stanford also claimed the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders Trophy representing the IRA team champion in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

IRA Championships Results