Princeton University Athletics
Sunday, May 31
Sacramento, Calif.
11:08 AM ET / 8:08 AM PT
Princeton University
vs
IRA National Championships
Photo by: © row2k Media
Women's Lightweight Rowing Wins Fifth Consecutive Commissioner’s Cup
May 31, 2026 | Women's Rowing - Lightweight
GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Princeton University women's lightweight rowing team delivered when it mattered most Sunday at the Intercollegiate National Rowing Association (IRA) National Championship Regatta, winning a fifth consecutive Commissioner's Cup along with a pair of gold medals.
The Tigers ended the regatta with 67 points in the Commissioner's Cup standings, which is awarded to the team with the most points. Boston University was second with 61 and Radcliffe third with 59.
The 8+ (6:40.493) won a sixth straight gold medal, never trailing in its Grand Final. Princeton got past Radcliffe (6:44.002), Stanford (6:46.085), Boston University (6:49.192), Georgetown (6:53.917) and MIT (7:00.838).
"I am so grateful to have been part of this team for the last four years," said Schwartz. "Coming in as a freshman, I was really inspired by that senior class and made it my goal to one day give back to the team the way they did. Every day of every year, coming down to row with my best friends was the best part of my day. Working towards the same goal together for a year is something that creates such a strong bond and love for each other. I think this endless love for each other is the key behind all our wins and something I will cherish forever."
The 4+ (7:20.11) repeated as national champions, finishing ahead of Boston University (7:25.473), MIT (7:31.483), Wisconsin (7:34.621), Radcliffe (7:37.186) and Stanford (7:45.046). The win was hard-fought, as the Tigers sat in fourth place after the first 500 meters. By the 1000-meter mark, Princeton had pulled away from the pack and surged ahead to sit first and not look back, securing a second straight gold medal.
"Being part of such a successful team has been a huge part of my entire Princeton career and I've learned a lot from all my teammates throughout the last four years," said Hoselbarth. "While everyone is obviously really competitive, our team has a very supportive environment (on and off the water) that helps everyone perform at the highest level. I think that this love we have for each other and the sport is a huge part of why we do not only succeed individually and in each respective boat, but as a team as a whole. I could not have imagined a better crew to row with and to be a captain for. Yeah, lights!"
In its Grand Final, the 2x (7:51.107) finished sixth.
Lineups
8+
Cox Eleanor Villacorta
8 Cate Barry
7 Amelie McComb
6 Lina Schwartz
5 Kalista Whildin
4 Mimi French
3 Maeve Sisk
2 Emma Mirrer
1 Lillian Auth
4+
Cox Rachel Bejo
4 Kelly Clarke
3 Hannah Hoselbarth
2 Tory Dana
1 Catherine Spence
2x
2 Carolina Proctor
1 Annika Bartucz
The Tigers ended the regatta with 67 points in the Commissioner's Cup standings, which is awarded to the team with the most points. Boston University was second with 61 and Radcliffe third with 59.
The 8+ (6:40.493) won a sixth straight gold medal, never trailing in its Grand Final. Princeton got past Radcliffe (6:44.002), Stanford (6:46.085), Boston University (6:49.192), Georgetown (6:53.917) and MIT (7:00.838).
Lina Schwartz sat in the 6 seat for the 8+ and was reflective upon the end of her Princeton career along with a fourth and final Commissioner's Cup victory.Retaining gold!
— Tiger Light Women (@tigerwlights) May 31, 2026
The 8+ earns a gold medal with a victory in its Grand Final!
??: https://t.co/nvmOyXY5oa pic.twitter.com/cOoO2FTqWE
"I am so grateful to have been part of this team for the last four years," said Schwartz. "Coming in as a freshman, I was really inspired by that senior class and made it my goal to one day give back to the team the way they did. Every day of every year, coming down to row with my best friends was the best part of my day. Working towards the same goal together for a year is something that creates such a strong bond and love for each other. I think this endless love for each other is the key behind all our wins and something I will cherish forever."
The 4+ (7:20.11) repeated as national champions, finishing ahead of Boston University (7:25.473), MIT (7:31.483), Wisconsin (7:34.621), Radcliffe (7:37.186) and Stanford (7:45.046). The win was hard-fought, as the Tigers sat in fourth place after the first 500 meters. By the 1000-meter mark, Princeton had pulled away from the pack and surged ahead to sit first and not look back, securing a second straight gold medal.
Hannah Hoselbarth, who sat in the 3 seat for the 4+, reflected on another Commissioner's Cup victory and her Princeton career in its entirety.A gold medal worthy finish.
— Tiger Light Women (@tigerwlights) May 31, 2026
The 4+ closed their Grand Final out strong to bring home gold!
??: https://t.co/nvmOyXY5oa pic.twitter.com/xHugFLBvuU
"Being part of such a successful team has been a huge part of my entire Princeton career and I've learned a lot from all my teammates throughout the last four years," said Hoselbarth. "While everyone is obviously really competitive, our team has a very supportive environment (on and off the water) that helps everyone perform at the highest level. I think that this love we have for each other and the sport is a huge part of why we do not only succeed individually and in each respective boat, but as a team as a whole. I could not have imagined a better crew to row with and to be a captain for. Yeah, lights!"
In its Grand Final, the 2x (7:51.107) finished sixth.
Lineups
8+
Cox Eleanor Villacorta
8 Cate Barry
7 Amelie McComb
6 Lina Schwartz
5 Kalista Whildin
4 Mimi French
3 Maeve Sisk
2 Emma Mirrer
1 Lillian Auth
4+
Cox Rachel Bejo
4 Kelly Clarke
3 Hannah Hoselbarth
2 Tory Dana
1 Catherine Spence
2x
2 Carolina Proctor
1 Annika Bartucz
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
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