Princeton University Athletics
Eion Gaffney
Photo by: © row2k Media
Princeton Rowing Has Several IRCA Finalists
June 19, 2023 | Heavyweight Rowing, Men's Rowing - Lightweight
PRINCETON – The Princeton Rowing Teams will have several finalists for IRCA National Awards, the organization announced today.
Nathan Phelps (Jack. R. Robinson Inspiration, Heavies), Laney Gold-Rappe (Coxswain of the Year, Men's Lightweight), Eoin Gaffney (Comeback Athlete of the Year, Men's Lightweight), Harril Saunders (Scholar Athlete of the Year, Heavies) and Greg Hughes (DI Coach of the Year, Heavies) have all been named finalists.
The Jack R. Robinson Inspiration Award is given to an athlete or coach who has demonstrated drive and motivation to overcome adversity or make a major impact on their team or community.
The 2023 season saw the Heavies' first varsity lose to only Yale in the regular season before collecting its first medal at Eastern Sprints since 2016 with a silver medal, trailing only the Bulldogs.
Princeton got the ultimate revenge as the first varsity jumped in front of Yale after the 1,000m mark to earn a bronze medal at the 2023 IRA Championships, the boat's first IRA medal since 2016. The Tigers also finished fourth in the Ten Eyck standings, a four-spot jump from 2022.
The No. 1 Princeton Men's Lightweight Rowing Team had an all-time day as it won two gold medals and the IRA President's Cup for the first time since 2010.
The first 1000m of the 2V was rowed at a feverish pace with all six boats within two seconds of each other. Princeton and Harvard broke away from the group at the 1,000m with the Tigers out in front, slightly by less than one-tenth of a second. Over the final 500m, Princeton's boat rowed away from the Crimson, crossing the line at 5:48.97, 2.48 seconds in front. The 2V boat did not lose a race all season.
In the Grand Final for the first varsity, the Tigers trailed by two one-hundreds of a second behind Harvard at the 500m but used a 1:25 split to go in front by 1.4 seconds. The Crimson closed the gap to under a half second with 500m left, but the boat pulled away, finishing with a 5:41.02, 1.8 seconds clear.
It's the first varsity eight title for Princeton at IRAs since 2010. The Tigers' wins in the 1V and 2V secured the IRA's President's Cup, awarded to the top point total for the men's lightweights. It's the sixth time the Tigers have done that, the last coming in 2010.
The Princeton Men's Lightweight Rowing Team's Coaching Staff was also named a finalist for the Lightweight Staff of the Year.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday.
Nathan Phelps (Jack. R. Robinson Inspiration, Heavies), Laney Gold-Rappe (Coxswain of the Year, Men's Lightweight), Eoin Gaffney (Comeback Athlete of the Year, Men's Lightweight), Harril Saunders (Scholar Athlete of the Year, Heavies) and Greg Hughes (DI Coach of the Year, Heavies) have all been named finalists.
The Jack R. Robinson Inspiration Award is given to an athlete or coach who has demonstrated drive and motivation to overcome adversity or make a major impact on their team or community.
The 2023 season saw the Heavies' first varsity lose to only Yale in the regular season before collecting its first medal at Eastern Sprints since 2016 with a silver medal, trailing only the Bulldogs.
Princeton got the ultimate revenge as the first varsity jumped in front of Yale after the 1,000m mark to earn a bronze medal at the 2023 IRA Championships, the boat's first IRA medal since 2016. The Tigers also finished fourth in the Ten Eyck standings, a four-spot jump from 2022.
The No. 1 Princeton Men's Lightweight Rowing Team had an all-time day as it won two gold medals and the IRA President's Cup for the first time since 2010.
The first 1000m of the 2V was rowed at a feverish pace with all six boats within two seconds of each other. Princeton and Harvard broke away from the group at the 1,000m with the Tigers out in front, slightly by less than one-tenth of a second. Over the final 500m, Princeton's boat rowed away from the Crimson, crossing the line at 5:48.97, 2.48 seconds in front. The 2V boat did not lose a race all season.
In the Grand Final for the first varsity, the Tigers trailed by two one-hundreds of a second behind Harvard at the 500m but used a 1:25 split to go in front by 1.4 seconds. The Crimson closed the gap to under a half second with 500m left, but the boat pulled away, finishing with a 5:41.02, 1.8 seconds clear.
It's the first varsity eight title for Princeton at IRAs since 2010. The Tigers' wins in the 1V and 2V secured the IRA's President's Cup, awarded to the top point total for the men's lightweights. It's the sixth time the Tigers have done that, the last coming in 2010.
The Princeton Men's Lightweight Rowing Team's Coaching Staff was also named a finalist for the Lightweight Staff of the Year.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Men's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Heavyweight Rowing
/ Heavyweight Rowing
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