All Three Boats Headed to Grand Finals For Men's Lightweight Rowing at IRA National Championships

Friday, May 29

Sacramento, Calif.

11:08 AM ET / 8:08 AM PT

Princeton University

IRA National Championships

Photo by: © row2k Media

All Three Boats Headed to Grand Finals For Men's Lightweight Rowing at IRA National Championships

May 29, 2026 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight

GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Princeton University men's lightweight rowing team had a successful opening day at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championship Regatta Friday, sending all three boats to their respective Grand Finals.

"Today was great start to the IRA," said Head Coach Matt Smith. "With races spread over multiple days and two weigh-ins, the IRA is like a two act play or a two-part mini-series on TV. The real excitement and culmination will occur in part two, which is the finals on Sunday. The 1V and 2V did a great job to win their heat this morning. The 4+ put up two gutsy races and we are excited to see what they can do tomorrow in their final."

The 2V (5:53.390) opened the morning with a thrilling victory in its heat, advancing to the A final. The heat went down to the wire, but the Tigers came in ahead of Harvard (5:52.840), Dartmouth (9:02.120) and Columbia (6:05.430).

Went down to the wire, but got it done.

The 2V (5:53.390) takes first in its heat!

Harvard (5:53.840) comes in second in what was a thrilling opening race for the Tigers.

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— Princeton Lights (@TigerLights) May 29, 2026

The 1V (5:48.230) followed suit and advanced to its Grand Final. The Tigers got past Dartmouth (5:50.010), MIT (5:50.500), Yale (5:56.070) and Navy (5:56.260) to earn a first-place finish.

2-for-2 heat victories!

The 1V (5:48.230) wins its heat ahead of Dartmouth, MIT, Yale and Navy!

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— Princeton Lights (@TigerLights) May 29, 2026

In the 4+ time trial, Princeton (6:26.990) came in second, just behind the University of Pennsylvania (6:26.990), to advance to the AB semifinal. In the AB semifinal, the Tigers (6:33.740) took first and punched a ticket to the Grand Final. Princeton had to overcome Cornell (6:34.570), Mercyhurst (6:34.820), Georgetown (6:36.160) and Dartmouth (6:56.560).

May 30 Schedule
2:12 p.m. ET / 11:12 a.m. PT – 4+ Grand Final

May 31 Schedule
1:18 p.m. ET / 10:18 a.m. PT – 2V Grand Final
2:34 p.m. ET / 11:34 a.m. PT – 1V Grand Final

Lineups
1V
Bow Bach Ryan
2 Frederick Middleton
3 Hidde Lycklama
4 Luke Helstrom
5 Edward Galer
6 George Dolce
7 Sam Scowen
Stroke Reuben Cook
Cox Adam Casler

2V
Bow Benjamin Peron
2 Sebastian Lyne
3 Liam Dooley
4 Jack Hume
5 Noah Klemmer Domonkos
6 John Kiely
7 Charles Huckel
Stroke Ivo Monaghan
Cox Matteus Rueca

4+
Bow Peter Strecansky
2 Vincent Mann
3 Johannes Jakobsen
Stroke Reese Bommer
Cox James Swinehart