Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
IRA Championships
Heavyweight Crew Qualifies For IRA National Championship
June 03, 2005 | Heavyweight Rowing
June 3, 2005
CHERRY HILL, N.J. - A blazing semifinal battle Friday between Harvard and Princeton was simply the appetizer. The main course, and the biggest race of the 2005 season, will feature both boats Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The final day of the IRAs will also feature the women's lightweight squad's bid for a sixth national title in seven years.
The Princeton heavyweight crew, which won national titles in 1988, 1996 and 1998, has been one of two crews with sub-6:00 times in both heats so far. The Tigers, ranked third nationally entering the IRA championships, advanced to the first semifinal by winning their heat in 5:56.02. The two teams ranked above Princeton, No. 1 Harvard and No. 2 California-Berkeley, both came in under six minutes as well to win their respective heats.
Washington, Boston U. and California each advanced to the IRA Grand Final in the first semifinal, with Washington posting a winning time of 6:00.26. The second semifinal began with six teams, but all eyes shifted on the two big crews in the final sprint. The top-ranked Crimson took the semi in 5:51.77, while Princeton finished just behind in 5:51.96. The thrilling finish could set up a truly grand final, especially with the likes of No. 4 Washington and California as other true contenders for the title.
For Princeton, though, the title would be a fitting conclusion to a terrific season. The Tigers have done everything, including winning the Rowe Cup for the overall points title at Eastern Sprints, except defeat the two-time defending champion Crimson. In the regular season, Harvard posted a comfortable win over Princeton at Lake Carnegie. The gap was closed significantly at Eastern Sprints, but it was still the Crimson first varsity pulling out the win.
The Tigers have one more shot, and it's for the biggest title in the sport.
The heavyweights will have several other boats in grand finals Saturday. The freshman eight, which has had thriller after thriller this season with its Eastern rivals, will compete with California, Penn, Washington, Harvard and Boston U., for the IRA title. The pair without cox and the four without cox also reached grand finals, while the second varsity eight will lead another group of Tiger boats in the petite finals.
The women's lightweight eight would like to see its current trend with Wisconsin continue tomorrow afternoon. Both teams lead a cast of 10 crews that will row in heats Saturday morning for spots in the grand final at 2:27 that afternoon. Both Wisconsin and Princeton should have little trouble reaching the final, where they will battle for the fourth time this season. The Badgers won races one (Windermere Classic) and three (Eastern Sprints), while Princeton won the second race (Knecht Cup). If the pendulum swings back to Princeton, it would be the sixth national title for the Tigers in the last seven years.
All times for the 2005 IRA Championships can be found here, while live audio and stats coverage of IRA Regatta finals, starting at 12:15 p.m. EDST, can be found here.