STANFORD, Calif. – The Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) awarded the team points trophy to Stanford Tuesday afternoon, giving the Cardinal its fourth consecutive team championship. The Cardinal had already captured the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders Trophy, acknowledging the national champion of the lightweight eight on June 3.
The lightweight eight Grand Final, which Stanford won by open water, was contested during the final day of the IRA Championships at Lake Mercer on Sunday, June 3. However, due to deteriorating weather conditions on the water later that Sunday morning, the Grand Final for the lightweight four and lightweight double were cancelled.
The IRA Board of Stewards on Tuesday determined that, since all seven boats competed in the lightweight four heat race on Saturday, June 2, the race met the criteria needed to award medals. Stanford won the lightweight four, capturing the race by more than 10 seconds over Wisconsin, and is thus the lightweight four national champion.
Based on the results of the lightweight eight and the lightweight four races, Stanford accrued 70 total points. With a lead greater than 12 points, through the lightweight eight and four titles, the IRA determined that Stanford's point total was insurmountable and awarded the Cardinal the team points trophy. Since the June 3 lightweight double Grand Final was cancelled and all eight entries did not race together on that Saturday, the IRA did not award medals for this race. Five crews competed unofficially later that Sunday at nearby Lake Carnegie, a race in which Stanford placed fourth.
"I am so happy for the entire team," said head coach Kate Bertko. "The daily effort of each individual is reflected in our IRA results."
Stanford's fourth consecutive team title is also its eighth all-time. The Cardinal owns the most women's lightweight rowing national team championships in the history of the sport. Wisconsin is second with five.
The varsity four claimed its second IRA Championship in a row and its third in the last four years.
"We are proud to represent Stanford on this national stage," added Bertko.