WORCESTER, Mass. - The No. 20 men's rowing team is set to head to Gold River, Calif. for the 2026 IRA National Championship at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma from May 29 - 31. Holy Cross will be competing in the Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+, Third Varsity 8+, and Varsity 4+ events.

The Crusaders' varsity eight has had a successful 2025-26 campaign. In the fall, the group won the Head of the Charles for the first time in program history, won the Head of the Snake and the Wormtown Chase, and placed tenth at the Princeton Chase. In the spring, it defeated the likes of MIT, Marist, Hobart, and Oregon State.

Holy Cross is one of just 24 programs to earn a spot in the heavyweight racing for the National Championship. The Crusaders qualified last year for the first time since the spring of 2015. (Holy Cross also participated in the event in 2021, when it was formatted as an open championship due to COVID restrictions.) 

SCHEDULE:

• Friday, May 29
  • 8:32 AM - Varsity 8+ Heat
  • 9:20 AM - Second Varsity 8+ Heat
  • 9:36 AM - Third Varsity 8+ Heat
  • 11:30 AM - Varsity 4+ Time Trial
• Saturday, May 30
  • 8+ Semifinals
  • Varsity 4+ Finals
• Sunday May 31
  • 8+ Finals

LIVE STREAM AND RESULTS:

• The event will be live streamed on Overnght (subscription required).
• Results will be uploaded in real time on Regatta Timing.

TICKET AND PARKING INFORMATION:

• Tickets are required to be admitted to the park for the national championship regatta. Three-day tickets will be sold in advance by Sacramento State for $75 and can be purchased online. One-day tickets will be sold for $35 each and can be purchased on site.
• Event parking is handled by Sacramento State and costs $15 per vehicle. A free shuttle will be available.

Additional information can be found at https://www.irarowing.com/ira-spectator-information. 

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