WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — The Williams College men's crew returned to Mercer Lake Saturday morning for the finals of the IRA Championship.

 

Great racing conditions saw Williams put on an impressive showing - the first varsity eight finished in first place to claim the inaugural D3 IRA National Championship. The varsity four finished a close third in the C-final to earn 15th place overall. Williams capped off a dominant spring campaign as National Champions- a historic first for the program and a suitable send off for the Class of 2022.

 

The pressure had been on the first varsity eight throughout the spring campaign, as Williams sat atop the IRCA and IRA D3 polls for five weeks straight. On Saturday, Williams got off the line quickly, taking three seats on the field in the first 300 meters of the race. Itcontinued to stretch out their lead as the race wore on.

 

The Williams crew came across the 1,000 meter mark in a time of 2:52.46, three seconds ahead of both Tufts and Trinity. Williams stayed in control, continuing to steadily open their lead.

 

At no point throughout the race did it look as though anyone but Williams would win. Its precision, technical finesse and raw power was on display as they crossed the finish line first to claim gold and the IRA D3 National Championship. The finish order was Williams first in 5:47.239, followed by Tufts (5:50.57), then Trinity (5:51.07), then Bates (5:57.1), then Hamilton (5:59.22), next was WPI (6:05) and finally Washington College (6:07.89).