WEST WINDSOR, N.J.- The Jacksonville men's rowing team wrapped up its season at the IRA Championships on Sunday.
The Dolphins sent two boats to the Intercollegiate Rowing Associastion's (IRA) national championship for the first time in program history. The automatic bid came from JU's Varsity Eight, who finished in third at SIRA, to clinch the historic achievement.
"Great weekend for the Dolphins," said head coach Preston Weinard. "Qualifying the 8s to IRAs is one thing, competing at the IRAs is another. I am so proud of how our crews competed with the country's best this weekend. Holding close margins to higher ranked crews, racing to the finish line bow ball to bow ball; it fills me with joy and pride to watch JU crews race like that. That last race in the Varsity 8 had us on the edge of our seat the entire 2000m! Fantastic effort by that boat to finish off the season with a thrilling race. In the 2V, they put together an excellent race for their final and kept their bow ball in front of a fast Santa Clara crew to finish the weekend."
JU's Varsity Eight competed in the '4' final at 9:10 Sunday morning against boats from Wisconsin, Oregon State, MIT, UC San Diego and Santa Clara. While the Dolphins finished in sixth with a 6:00.905 time, Santa Clara's time was .6 seconds faster for fifth, resulting in an exciting finish down the stretch.
The Dolphins Second Varsity Eight competed against similar boats in Wisconsin, La Salle, UC San Diego and Santa Clara. JU's 2v8 put together a 6:10.093 time which was good for fourth, returning the favor with a close finish against Santa Clara but this time pulling out ahead.
"It was an exciting day to be a Dolphin," further added Weinard. "I hope the alumni, parents, and all of JU are proud of these young men and women, because I sure am."
While Jacksonville's season comes to a close, they concluded it with further added momentum. A season ago, the team had the best finish from a boat at the IRA National Championships, and this season, clinched the team's first ever automatic bid to the historic event. The Dolphins will look to continue to build around their relatively young nucleus of talent and strive even further next season.
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