IRA Finals Set

GOLD RIVER, Calif. – Each of the three Stanford men's rowing entries placed in the top three of its semifinal heat Saturday to advance to Sunday's third level final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships at Lake Natoma. 
 
The varsity eight placed third in its semifinal heat, with the second varsity eight recording the semifinal heat victory and the third varsity eight taking second place in its semifinal heat. All three boats advanced to the third level final on Sunday. The varsity eight final will be at 11:50 a.m. PT, following the third varsity eight final at 9:50 a.m. PT and the second varsity eight final at 10:20 a.m. PT.
 
Fans can follow Sunday's finals online with the USRowing Live Stream here.
   
Stanford, Navy and George Washington separated themselves from the rest of the field early on in Saturday's varsity eight semifinal race. In third at 500 meters, the Cardinal pushed its bow ball ahead of George Washington at 1,000 meters and opened a seat advantage with 750 to go. Stanford continued to try and take water away from leading boat Navy, while also trying to hold off George Washington over the final 500 meters. In a tight race, Stanford, Navy and George Washington were separated by just three seats and under two seconds at the finish line. Navy (5:50.400) won the semifinal, while the Colonials (5:51.370) caught the Cardinal (5:51.780) for second, finishing ahead of Stanford by a deck. With a top-three finish, Stanford advanced to the third level final against Navy, George Washington, Drexel, Columbia and FIT.  

Varsity eight finishes third in its semifinal and will race in the third level final tomorrow. #GoStanford. pic.twitter.com/gfs1z3QN2e

— Stanford Mens Rowing (@stanfordmrowing) June 3, 2017

 
The Cardinal second varsity eight asserted itself early in its semifinal, pushing its bow ball ahead of the field by 500 meters. Stanford extended its lead to a half a length by 750 meters and opened a full length advantage on the field by the midpoint of the course. Navy made a move to cut into the Cardinal's lead late, but Stanford (5:54.870) responded to hold off the Midshipmen (5:56.851) by five seats at the finish line. With the win, the Cardinal advanced to Sunday's third level final against Wisconsin, Navy, Syracuse, Hobart and Columbia.
 

2V wins its semifinal by five seats. Cardinal will race in Sunday's @IRARowingChamps third level final. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/33T3NPFYpF

— Stanford Mens Rowing (@stanfordmrowing) June 3, 2017

The Cardinal third varsity eight was among the leaders early on, battling Brown and St. Joseph's. With Brown opening a length lead on the field, Stanford settled into second place by the middle of the course. The Cardinal opened a two-seat advantage on St. Joseph's, while trying to close on Brown for the lead. The Bears (5:59.134) continued to hold the open water advantage, however, taking the semifinal heat. The Cardinal (6:04.719) finished second by open water over third-place St. Joseph's (6:09.390). Stanford will race in the third level final on Sunday against Oregon State, Brown, Drexel, George Washington and St. Joseph's.

Cardinal 3V finishes second in semifinal to advance to @IRARowingChamps third level final on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/JhZA8MV8lf

— Stanford Mens Rowing (@stanfordmrowing) June 3, 2017

IRA Championships Results