The Marist Men's Rowing Team Varsity Four advanced to the Grand Final at the 2026 IRA National Championship Regatta after a strong performance. Competing on Lake Natoma, they finished 2nd in the Time Trial with a time of 6:12.6, which secured their spot in the semi-finals. In the semi-final, Marist placed 2nd again with a time of 6:34.7, battling through a mid-race disturbance caused by geese. This marks their first Grand Final appearance in this event since 2008, enhancing the team's competitive stature. They will race against powerhouse crews, including Cal and Washington, on Saturday.

By the Numbers
  • Marist's Time Trial time: 6:12.6, finishing 2nd out of 28 crews
  • Semi-final finish time: 6:34.7, placing 2nd in the race
State of Play
  • Marist is set to race in the Grand Final on Saturday at 11:30 am PST/2:30 pm EST.
  • The team has not reached this stage since the modern IRA era began in 2010.
What's Next

Marist will compete against top teams including UW, Cal, Harvard, Princeton, and UPenn in the Grand Final, facing high stakes and strong opponents.

Bottom Line

This race is a historic opportunity for Marist, as they aim to establish themselves among the national elite after more than a decade. A strong performance could elevate their program's reputation significantly.