The No. 4 Wisconsin men's rowing team won six of eight races against the No. 11 U.S. Naval Academy on Sunday in racing to prepare for next week's national championship, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta. The Badgers won their sixth-straight Walsh Cup with a win in the varsity eight race. They also won the Fisher Trophy for most points accumulated during the meet.

Racing on the Severn River, the UW took the varsity eight by 5.91 seconds, about two lengths. Wisconsin grabbed a half-boat lead at the 500-meter mark, putting open water between itself and Navy by 1300 meters. The Badgers crossed the 2000-meter finish line in 6:02.40.

'This was prep for the IRA,' said head coach Chris Clark. 'It was workmanlike for us. Our varsity eight raced at 6 a.m., which is 5 a.m., Wisconsin time.'

In the second varsity eight, the Badgers claimed victory as well. The Badgers rowed to a 6:01.5 to the Navy lightweight's 6:02.4. The Midshipmen 's second varsity eight was third in 6:19.2.

The Badgers also won the varsity four, open four, varsity four without coxswain and varsity pair races. Wisconsin dropped the two novice races, the freshman eight and freshman four.

With the results, the Badgers have won 29 of the last 30 varsity races between the two schools and 37 of the last 40 races overall.

The Badgers return to action and complete their season at the IRA in Camden, N.J., beginning Thursday. The UW looks to win its third-straight Ten Eyck Trophy for the overall points title during the regatta, as well as a title in the varsity eight, considered the race for the national championship. Racing runs Thursday through Saturday, May 30-June 1 on the Cooper River.