Women's Lightweight Rowing Wins IRA National Championship

Sunday, June 5

West Windsor, N.J.

Princeton University

IRA Championships

Photo by: © row2k Media

Women's Lightweight Rowing Wins IRA National Championship

June 05, 2022 | Women's Rowing - Lightweight

WEST WINDSOR – For the first time in program history, the Princeton women's lightweight team won the 2022 IRA women's lightweight national title after taking home two golds.

You know what time it is?

Trophy time! ???????? pic.twitter.com/Zc4UykxJYj
— Tiger Light Women (@tigerwlights) June 5, 2022

"I think from the outside it can look really easy when you're winning," said Princeton head coach Paul Rassam. "What this team has pushed through these couple of years, it's not been easy. We have a super resilient, determined group of athletes that kept pushing forward no matter what was going on."

A day that we and @tigerwlights will never forget … ??????@Princeton | @IRARowingChamps pic.twitter.com/uPlry6kIwE
— Princeton Tigers (@PUTIGERS) June 5, 2022

Princeton's varsity eight jumped out to a lead and kept its distance as Stanford and Georgetown made pushes. With 500m to go, the Hoyas trailed by three seconds, but could only get with a second and half as the Tigers crossed the finish line with the top time (6:55.88). Princeton's boat did not lose a race all season. It's the second straight IRA gold for the varsity eight and eighth overall.

See our varsity eight finish off an undefeated campaign and win consecutive IRA golds … ???? pic.twitter.com/oAFBjcQfuK
— Tiger Light Women (@tigerwlights) June 5, 2022

The 2x double of Amelia Boehle and Kasey Shashaty continued their impressive run and easily took the gold medal in their Grand Final (7:46.06). They cleared Boston University by over seven seconds and 11 seconds over the rest of the field. The Tigers took down the BU double of Kathryn Grabowski and Grace Beery who won this race last season. Boehle and Shashaty did not lose all year.

Check out our varsity double cross the finish line with an undefeated season and IRA Gold! ???????? pic.twitter.com/mKc7SBCrZg
— Tiger Light Women (@tigerwlights) June 5, 2022

"When you win all season long, the pressure builds and it's unavoidable," said Rassam. "To carry two undefeated boats all through the spring is special and it's something we're immensely proud of.

Coach Rassam shares his thoughts with the team after an amazing day on the water. ???? pic.twitter.com/Mm3Xcxpsfr
— Tiger Light Women (@tigerwlights) June 5, 2022