Wisconsin Badgers
IRA National Championships
F(oar) things to know: Lightweights conclude season at IRA National Championships
May 29, 2026 | Lightweight Rowing
Wisconsin looks to grab sixth national championship
Live Results || Watch
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin lightweight rowing team will conclude its 2025-26 season with a three-day regatta at the IRA National Championships on Lake Natoma in Folsom, California, on May 29-31.
Before the Badgers hit the water, here are f(oar) things to know:
1. HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE
Wisconsin has won five lightweight eight national championships in program history, and will look to make it six this weekend against tough competition. The Badgers last took home their most recent lightweight eight national championship in the 2008-09 season as the crew finished with a time of 6:56.26 in a 2000-meter race. Last season, Wisconsin's lightweight double sculls crew took home a runner-up finish, the program's best finish since its runner-up finish at the end of the 2016-17 season.
2. LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin wrapped up competition at Eastern Sprints on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts, just under a month ago. The lightweight crew saw six boats take the water, helping the team to a fifth-place overall finish with 32 points. The second varsity four crew highlighted the regatta for the Badgers, covering the distance in 7:29.407 to beat out Boston University by two seconds and capture the event crown. The second lightweight double crew of Quenby Swanson and Maya King collected a runner-up finish in their event, covering the course in 7:56.577.
3. SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
The Badgers will have three boats competing across the weekend, one competing in the lightweight varsity eight event, one in the lightweight varsity four and one crew in the double sculls beginning on Saturday. The top three finishers across each event's heats will advance to the events' A final, with the remainder advancing to the events' B final.
The double sculls features competition from across the country, with boats from Boston University, MIT, Princeton, Gordon College, Radcliffe, Georgetown and Stanford. Wisconsin's No. 3 double sculls crew will hit the water in the second heat, facing off against No. 2 Radcliffe. No. 6 Georgetown and No. 7 Stanford.
In the lightweight four event, Wisconsin is set to face competition from Princeton, MIT, Sacred Heart, Boston University, Radcliffe, Georgetown and Stanford. Wisconsin's No. 5 crew will hit the water in the event's first heat, facing No. 1 Princeton, No. 4 MIT and No. 7 Sacred Heart.
Wisconsin's No. 7 lightweight eight crew will be put to the test against ranked opponents in their event. The Badgers will take to the water in the event's second heat, going head-to-head against No. 2 Radcliffe, No. 4 Stanford and No. 6 Georgetown.
4. FOLLOW ALONG
Live results for the weekend can be found here, and fans can follow along on the livestream here. The Badgers will start competition on Saturday with the second heat of the women's lightweight varsity double sculls before taking on the varsity four and varsity eight events.
2026 IRA National Championships
May 30-31
Folsom, California
Lake Natoma
2000 Meters
SATURDAY, MAY 30 (Times are PT)
Women's Lightweight Varsity 2xWisconsin, Radcliffe, Georgetown, Stanford|
8:08 a.m. - Heat 2
Women's Lightweight Varsity 4+
Wisconsin, Princeton, MIT, Sacred Heart
8:16 a.m. - Heat 1
Women's Lightweight Varsity 8+
Wisconsin, Radcliffe, Stanford, Georgetown
8:40 a.m. - Heat 2
SUNDAY, MAY 31 (Times are PT)
Women's Lightweight Varsity 2x Final
8:00 a.m. - Final 2|
8:08 a.m. - Final 1
8:16 a.m. - Award Ceremony
Women's Lightweight Varsity 4+ Final
8:24 a.m. - Final 2
8:32 a.m. - Final 1
8:40 a.m. - Award Ceremony
Women's Lightweight Varsity 8+ Final
10:30 a.m. - Final 2
10:38 a.m. - Final 1
10:46 a.m. - Award Ceremony
