Wisconsin advances three to IRA grand finals

Saturday, June 4

Mercer Lake, West Windsor, N.J.

All Day

Wisconsin Badgers

IRA Championships

Wisconsin advances three to IRA grand finals

June 04, 2016 | Lightweight Rowing

UW lightweights take two first-place finishes on opening day

WEST WINDSOR, N.J.-- On an impressive first day of the 2016 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships, the Wisconsin women's lightweight rowing team advanced all three boats to their respective grand finals on Saturday. The varsity eight secured a second-place finish, while the four and double each won their events.

"Today was definitely a great day for the lightweight women," UW head coach Dusty Mattison said. "We advanced all boats --the eight, the four and the double -- directly to the grand final. It was nice to be able to get that work done in the morning and now be able to relax in the afternoon and focus on tomorrow morning."

The varsity eight led off the day, where Wisconsin placed second in its heat with a time of 6 minutes, 49.720 seconds. Stanford's boat led the race early, but the Badgers held speed to qualify for Sunday's grand final. The eight aims to secure the program's sixth IRA national title.

"We saw, especially in the eight, some really great performances and times by Stanford, Radcliffe, and BU, but we know that we can be right there with them," Mattison said. "I think everyone knows that there are a few extra gears that we have in us, so that's exciting knowing that we have room to go up in our speed and be able to hang right with everyone else."

The varsity four continued to display Wisconsin's speed, keeping a substantial lead through the 2,000 meters and finishing in 7 minutes, 26.370 seconds to secure first place and a spot in the grand final.

"With the four, we're going in with one of the fastest times, same with the double," Mattison explained. "Those races are a little bit more unknown, but the fact that they both won their heat, it definitely shows that we have the speed to be right there with everyone else."

UW's double, made up of Emma Landauer and Ariel Tallo, led by open water through the event, finishing with a final time of 7 minutes, 56.550 seconds.

"The thing that we've been talking a lot about is racing within ourselves, making sure that you're getting the job done in your boat," Mattison said. "But also, 'Why not you? Why can't we be up there as well?' Having the mindset that we have the ability, the fitness, the mental toughness to be right up in the top group [is] what we are looking to do tomorrow."

IRA racing continues Sunday, beginning at 6:16 a.m. CT with the lightweight eight grand final.

2016 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships

Mercer Lake

West Windsor, N.J.

June 4, 2016

2000 Meters

Lightweight Eight

Heat 1 (Top two to Sunday Grand Final, rest to afternoon repchage)

1. Stanford, (6:35.320); 2. Wisconsin, (6:49.720); 3. Princeton, (7:09.930)

UW Lineup: Coxswain Eleanor Martin, Kate Ruffalo, Julia Glueck, Janet Titzler, Helena Randle, Brianna Wynne, Jennifer Kish, Agathe Denis, Stephanie Meder

Lightweight Four

Heat 2 (Winner to Sunday Grand Final, rest to afternoon repchage)

1. Wisconsin, (7:26.370); 2. Radcliffe, (7:31.150); 3. Boston University, (7:34.570); 4. Tulsa, (7:47.150); 5. Princeton, (8:08.760); 6. Georgetown, (8:24.550)

UW Lineup: Coxswain Audrey Dalgarno, Gabriela Purman, Mirha Girt, Mackenzie Whiteside, Marilyn Garberg

Lightweight Double Sculls

Heat 1 (Top two to Sunday Grand Final, rest to afternoon repchage)

1. Wisconsin, (7:56.550); 2. Tulsa, (8:07.140); 3. Princeton, (8:24.150); 4. Oklahoma City, (8:59.060)

UW Lineup: Emma Landauer, Ariel Tallo

Sunday Grand Finals

Lightweight Eight- 6:15 a.m. CT

MIT, Boston University, Radcliffe, Stanford, Wisconsin, Princeton

Lightweight Four- 7:50 a.m. CT

Boston University, Radcliffe, Wisconsin, Stanford, UMass, Tulsa

Lightweight Double Scull- 8:40 a.m. CT

Radcliffe, Tulsa, Wisconsin, Boston University, Stanford, Princeton