Men's Rowing at Holy Cross Prepares for IRA Nationals Journey
The Holy Cross Men's Rowing team is heading down to Camden, N.J. for the Madeira Cup, marking the penultimate set of races in their season. The announcement for their participation was made in an email sent on Friday, Feb. 28.
The Eastern Sprints, sponsored by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA), will follow the Madeira Cup and serve as the final races of the season. The team's ultimate goal is to secure a slot at the IRA National Championship.
Throughout the spring season, the team has demonstrated exceptional form, with the 4v winning every race they've entered. The 2v also had a notable victory, overcoming a boat-stopping crab at the 1200 meter mark and finishing 8.4 seconds ahead of MIT's 2v crew.
The team has achieved some crucial victories, including beating Gonzaga and Drexel in one race at the Schuylkill Invitational. They also secured a clean sweep on the Charles against MIT on March 29 and won both their morning and afternoon races at the Quinsigamond.
The team is confident approaching these final races, facing quick crews such as the University of Pennsylvania, Oregon State University, and Cornell University. The Eastern Sprints will bring them up against world-renowned crews like Princeton, UPenn, Harvard, Cornell, and the United States' Naval Academy.
College President Vincent Rougeau recently announced a 5.6% increase in tuition for the 2025/2026 academic year, but the rowing team's focus remains on making a triumphant comeback to the IRA National Championship in June.
In the competitive world of Division 1 men’s rowing, teams are typically evaluated based on race records and results, the strength of their schedule, and detailed race timesheets. Winning or placing highly in major competitions like conference championships, the Eastern Sprints, and other recognised invitationals heavily influences selection. Facing tough competition throughout the season positions the team favourably for the IRA National Championship selection process.
As the team prepares for the Madeira Cup, they are eager to kickstart the upcoming racing season with a strong performance. Jaden Stainforth, a staff writer, will be reporting on their progress.
- The university's rowing team, led by students, is eager to start the upcoming racing season strongly at the Madeira Cup, an event that serves as a precursor to the Eastern Sprints, the final races of the season.
- The Eastern Sprints, hosted by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA), will witness a clash between the elite crews of various esteemed universities, including rivals such as Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, and the United States' Naval Academy.
- The Holy Cross Men's Rowing team has been performing exceptionally well this spring, with the 4v winning every race they've entered and the 2v managing a notable victory against MIT's 2v crew.
- Despite a pending increase in tuition fees for the 2025/2026 academic year, announced by College President Vincent Rougeau, the rowing team remains focused on securing a slot at the IRA National Championship by performing well in the Eastern Sprints, a significant event in the competitive world of Division 1 men’s rowing.
