WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Stanford lightweight rowing team placed second in each of its Grand Final races during the final day of the IRA National Championships on Sunday.
A run of four consecutive national titles came to an end by less than a second as the varsity eight fell to Harvard-Radcliffe. The Crimson edged the Cardinal by 0.68 seconds to stop the streak. Stanford led for a good portion of the race and recorded a time of 6:42.278. The race was extremely close at the end between three boats as Bucknell was 0.31 seconds back of Stanford.
“Both boats had really good races and recorded the fastest times they have all year,” said head coach Al Acosta. “I think the varsity eight did what they wanted to do, but you give credit to Harvard who also raced well and caught them at the end.”
The varsity four also had a lead in the middle 1,000 meters, but Wisconsin was too tough. The Badgers won the race in a time of 7:25.845, topping Stanford’s time of 7:28.595. Fordham came in two seconds later for third place.
“Our four had a courageous race,” said Acosta. “It was a great effort. They had the lead in the third 500 meters, but Wisconsin was a strong team and had a great finish.”
The Stanford lightweight team returns the majority of its lineup as only one senior was on the 2014 team. Senior Molly Hayes raced with the varsity four at the IRA Championships.
IRA National Championships
Lake Mercer
West Windsor, N.J.
June 1, 2014
Results
Varsity Eight
1. Harvard-Radcliffe – 6:41.592
2. Stanford – 6:42.278
3. Bucknell – 6:42.584
4. Boston University – 6:48.720
5. Princeton – 6:52.945
6. Wisconsin – 6:54.248
Varsity Four
1. Wisconsin – 7:25.845
2. Stanford – 7:28.595
3. Fordham – 7:30.600
4. Harvard-Radcliffe – 7:38.945
5. Boston University – 7:44.249
6. Princeton – 7:54.896