Bears to cap off season with IRA, NCAA Championships

Bears to cap off season with IRA, NCAA Championships

Both of Cal’s rowing teams are gearing up for an exciting weekend as they prepare to compete in the IRA National Championships and NCAA Championships. The women’s team will be heading to Harsha Lake in southwest Ohio from May 31 to June 2 for the NCAA Championships, while the men’s team will be competing at Mercer Lake in New Jersey on the same dates for the IRA National Championships.

Cal men’s head coach Scott Frandsen expressed that everything this season has been leading up to this crucial weekend. The men’s team, consisting of the 1V, 2V, 3V, and a varsity four, will be up against 23 of the fastest college rowing teams in the nation, including rivals like Washington and Ivy League powerhouses such as Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and Brown. Having secured back-to-back first place finishes in 2022 and 2023, the Bears will be aiming for a three-peat at this year’s championships.

On the other hand, the women’s team, led by head coach Al Acosta, will have their varsity four, 1V, and 2V competing in the NCAA Championships in Ohio. After finishing second at the Pac-12 Championships, the Bears are looking to maintain their momentum and challenge some of the top women’s programs in the country. With four NCAA Championships victories in their history, the team will be facing tough competition from Stanford, Washington, Texas, Brown, and Yale.

Frandsen emphasized the importance of taking each race and each day as it comes, highlighting the need for a focused and competitive mindset throughout the weekend. As the Bears aim for success at the IRA and NCAA Championships, the dedication and determination of both teams will be put to the test.