College Sports

Wisconsin defeated defending champion Washington to win the 106th Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships. The championships were held on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

The Championships featured more than 1,300 rowers from 51 colleges and universities competing in the three day competition.

The Huskies had not lost in two years prior to the matchup.

Wisconsin finished the 2,000-meter course in a time of 5:31.17, with Washington second at 5:32.89, and California third with a time of 5:32.89.

Cal, Washington and Wisconsin were neck and neck early, but the Badgers took the lead at the 500-meter mark, and held on to win their eighth IRA title, and first since 1990.

Wisconsin ended the championships unbeaten, and received the Clayton Chapman Trophy as the most improved team from last year’s championship. Washington earned the Ten Eyck Trophy, which goes to the school with the most team points. Washington had 214 points overall, followed by Cal with 207, Wisconsin with 191, Harvard with 157, and Brown with 150.

While the men’s team was winning it’s first title in 18 years, the Wisconsin women’s lightweight team won it’s fourth title in five years. The top-ranked women’s team won by open water over Georgetown to take the championship.