ACRA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
The Cougs wrapped up their spring season at the ACRA National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with a weekend full of competitive, high-stakes racing. After a milestone performance at WIRA, the team came in focused and ready to test their speed against top club crews from across the country. From the first race to the last, Cougar boats handled challenging conditions, quick turnarounds, and deep competition with grit and determination. The novice crews continued their strong run of form, while the varsity lineups showed clear progression in pace and execution. Sculling entries also stepped up with confident performances in tightly contested events. It was a full team effort that reflected the depth, drive, and commitment built over the course of the season—closing things out on a high note and leaving everything on the water in Oak Ridge.
“This past weekend was the best racing experience I’ve had during my time with Cougar Crew. It was amazing to see the work we’ve put in over the past four years pay off—not just with the 1V having its best shot at an A-Final in a long time, but with every boat placing as high, if not higher, than I’ve seen during my time here. Each crew seemed to have a race they felt proud of, and the 1V finally went sub-6, a goal we’ve been chasing for years. The culture that’s been built over time was on full display, with everyone locked in and giving their all—not just in racing, but in being professional and supporting each other. It’s exciting to think about where the team is headed, and I know I speak for all the seniors when I say we wish we had more time to keep rowing for Cougar Crew. It’s meant a lot to each of us.”
- Isaac Aselin ‘25, 1V8+ 4 Seat
“It was great to see so many of our boats hit new benchmarks at ACRA. The Varsity 8 broke six minutes for the first time, the Novice 8 placed second in the B final to become the 8th fastest novice boat in the nation, and the 2nd Varsity 8 made the grand final—marking the first time in over a decade that one of our eights has done so. This all happened during what I believe was the most competitive ACRA yet, with some of the toughest racing I’ve seen in my eight years with the team. It’s been a pleasure to watch this group grow into consistent contenders against the best in the league.”
- Bjorn Elliot, Men’s Novice Head Coach
Men’s 2V8+, Melton Lake, Oak Ridge Tennessee