GOLD RIVER, Calif. – For the first time in a half-decade, Stanford’s first varsity eight is in the Grand Final at the IRA National Championship.
The Cardinal’s 1V8+ came in third in the second of two semifinal heats, covering the Lake Natoma course in 5:41.77. California (5:36.95) and Harvard (5:37.91) were the other two teams to advance to tomorrow’s A final – the marquee race of the three-day regatta.
With Saturday’s performance, Stanford has assured itself of the 11th top-six finish in program history and first since 2021 (fifth). However, that season featured several changes due to COVID, namely time trials determining semifinal entries. Tomorrow’s Grand Final will be the Cardinal’s first with a full field present in a traditional format since a third-place finish in 2009.
On Sunday, Stanford’s eights will row out of Lane Six. The No. 5 Cardinal will race against No. 1 Washington, No. 2 California, No. 3 Harvard, No. 4 Princeton and No. 7 Dartmouth.
Stanford’s second and third varsity boats are onto their respective B finals on the final day of competition. The 2V8+ came in fifth in its semifinal (5:52.87) and the 3V8+ sixth (5:57.41).
The Grand Final of the 1V8+ is at 12:04 p.m. PT, the B final of the 2V8+ is at 11 a.m. and the B final of the 3V8+ is at 9:38 a.m.
It’s the first time in program history all three eights will finish in the top 12 at the IRA National Championship.
In the AB semifinal of the 2V8+, the race was restarted after more than 800 meters because Dartmouth hit a goose. Stanford had a strong start and was in fourth at the time the race was called.
IRA National Championship
At Lake Natoma
Saturday’s results
1V8+
AB Semifinal 2 – 1, California 5:36.95; 2, Harvard 5:37.91; 3, Stanford 5:41.77; 4, Penn 5:42.89; 5, Brown 5:45.95; 6, Boston U. 5:50.13. Stanford to A final.
2V8+
AB Semifinal 2 – 1, Princeton 5:42.86; 2, Harvard 5:43.17; 3, Syracuse 5:48.35; 4, Penn 5:50.53; 5, Stanford 5:52.87; 6, Dartmouth 6:01.30. Stanford to B final.
3V8+
AB Semifinal 1 – 1, California 5:47.31; 2, Princeton 5:5:48.24; 3, Brown 5:49.11; 4, Dartmouth 5:49.18; 5, Boston U. 5:56.36; 6, Stanford 5:57.41. Stanford to B final.
Stanford’s Schedule (all times Pacific)
Sunday
9:38 a.m.: 3V8+ Final 2 -- Lanes: 1, Darmouth; 2, Northeastern; 3, Boston U.; 4, Penn; 5, Stanford; 6, Syracuse.
11 a.m.: 2V8+ Final 2 -- Lanes: 1, Yale; 2, Penn; 3, Northeastern; 4, Stanford; 5, Cornell; 6, Dartmouth
12:04 p.m.: 1V8+ Grand Final -- Lanes: 1, Washington; 2, California; 3, Princeton; 4, Harvard; 5, Dartmouth; 6, Stanford.
Lineups
1V8+
C: Gabrielle Zammit
8: Maxim Ericson
7: Gabriel George
6: Elliott Donovan-Davies
5: Sandro Scalfi
4: Luke Smith
3: Tom Corbett
2: James Pullinger
1: Caspar Griffin
2V8+
C: Kannan Alford
8: Kalen Routley
7: Charlie Vachris
6: Marcus Albrecht
5: Finn Lorgen
4: Christopher Muehl
3: Hylton Harvey
2: Philip Wolfensberger
1: Leopold Hainlein
3V8+
C: Ginger Bernstein
8: Tyler Murphy
7: Callen Berwick
6: Andrew Orio
5: Augustine Freijo
4: Danny Stephenson
3: Raph Skottowe
2: Jack Griffin
1: Jacob Rivera