CAMDEN, N.J. - The Wisconsin women's lightweight rowing team competed in the first day of IRA National Championships this morning. The Badgers had a solid day, moving on to the final heat in one of their three races.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The first race of the day began with the lightweight eight. In a race for lanes, the Badgers showed a solid performance coming in fifth place with a time of 6:52.57 on the 2000-meter course. The Badgers followed that up by coming in fifth in the lightweight four with a time of 8:00.34. Wisconsin's best result came in the final race of the day, the double sculls. The duo of Abbey DiChiara and Romy McCafthy finished in second place in their heat with a time of 8:06.30. By finishing in second place, they qualified for the Grand Final, which will determine the double scull national champion Sunday morning.
STRAIGHT FROM THE SHORE:
Head Coach Hodge Habibovic - "Today was tough with the conditions and wind, but all of our crews learned something and advanced to the grand final. Excited to execute some strong racing tomorrow."
UP NEXT: The Badgers complete their 2025 season with national championship races in the lightweight eight, four and double sculls. The double sculls open the action at 7:10 a.m. CT, while the
Follow along with live results or watch the live stream on overnight.
IRA National Championships
May 31, 2025
Camden, New Jersey
Cooper River
2000 meters
Lightweight Eight – Heat 1 (Race for lanes)
1. Harvard, 6:29.15; 2. Princeton, 6:32.07; 3. Georgetown, 6:39.37; 4. Boston University, 6:43.91; 5. Wisconsin, 6:52.57; 6. Stanford, 6:55.91
UW Lineup –Coxswain Sarah Rab, Payton Tonnos, Olivia Palmberg, Alex Palmberg, Rianne Wagner, Anika Hanson, Ella Springer, Claire Rulyak, Georgia Harlow
Lightweight Four – Heat 1 (Race for lanes)
1. MIT, 7:30.70; 2. Princeton, 7:33.78; 3. Boston University, 7:38.32; 4. Harvard, 7:44.22; 5. Wisconsin, 8:00.34; 6.Georgetown, 8:07.14; 7. Stanford, 8:28.70
UW Lineup – Coxswain Emilie Rochon, Charlotte Mirzaian, Audra Chesny, Payton Bradford, Adeline Hinkie
Lightweight Double Sculls - Heat 2 (Top 3 to A final, rest to B Final)
1. MIT, 8:02.56; 2. Wisconsin, 8:06.30; 3. Princeton, 8:17.61; 4. Harvard, 8:39.59
UW Lineup – Abbey DiChiara, Romy McCarthy
