WIRA CHAMPIONSHIPS ‘26

April 25–26, 2026 - Lake Natoma, CA

Cougar Crew made the annual trip down to Lake Natoma this past weekend for the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships, hosted at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, California. The team entered the Varsity 8, Second Varsity 8, Novice 8, Novice 4+, and Lightweight Varsity 4+. This year's championship carried added significance with the inclusion of four IRA programs, among them Gonzaga University, raising the level of competition across the board. Conditions on the water were about as cooperative as you can hope for at a championship regatta, with cool temperatures, minimal wind, and clean visibility throughout the weekend.

Saturday's heat racing set the tone. The V8 went out first and put together a composed heat, finishing second behind Santa Clara at 6:02.785 to earn a lane in Sunday's Grand Final. The 2V A boat ran third in the lanes race at 6:13.539, drawing a favorable position for the final. The Novice 8 rounded out the morning by placing second in their heat at 6:32.390, advancing comfortably to Sunday.

Sunday's finals are where the Cougs made their mark. The Lightweight Varsity 4+ delivered the performance of the weekend, winning their Grand Final outright with a time of 7:00.906. It was a clean, dominant race and a well-earned WIRA event title for the boat. The result continues a strong tradition for the lightweights, which won this same event at WIRA 2025.

The 2V A boat followed with a first-place finish in the Petite Final at 6:10.267, showing real speed against a deep mid-fleet. The V8 returned to the Grand Final course and put together a competitive race against one of the toughest lineups of the season, including Santa Clara, Gonzaga, OCC, UCLA, and USD, finishing sixth at 6:08.759. The Novice 8 closed out the weekend with a fourth-place Grand Final finish at 6:23.472, racing well against a strong field.

Two event wins, multiple Grand Final appearances, and a championship-level field. A solid weekend for the Cougs, and more to come as we move into ACRA.