Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The team made the trip out to gorgeous Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to throw down with some fast crews from all around the southeast. After a nice, long paddle down the course on Friday afternoon and an Italian meal of epic proportions, the Irish got a good night’s rest before racing began on Saturday morning.
This year, the team raced eight boats, the 1V8, 2V8, 1N8, 2N8, 1N4, 2x, 1x, and the 3V8, also racing in the 2V8 category. All boats moved on past time trials in the morning, with the 2N8, 2x, and 1x moving directly on to their grand finals on Sunday. Saturday afternoon consisted of semi-finals, where the Irish shined once again, putting the 2V8 and 1N8 in grand finals as well, the 1V8 and 3V8 in petites, and the 1N4 in C finals. The Irish then retired to a wonderful homemade dinner hosted by some alumni in preparation for the following day’s finals.
On Sunday, varsity racing dawned with Seth Tautges, C/O 2019, finishing 5th in the 1x category. The 2x finished 6th overall and in their final. The 3V8 fought hard and placed 2nd in their petite final, a strong 8th place finish overall in the 2V8 category. The 2V8 finished 4th in the same category with a fast last race of the regatta. Finally, coming off an emotional semi-final the day before, the 1V8 left it all out on the course and won their petite final, placing 7th overall.
The novice squad raced to unprecedented success on Sunday. The 2N8 topped last year’s second place finish in the same boat with absolute domination in their grand final. The 1N8 fought for every inch down the course and finished 2nd overall, the highest finish Notre Dame has seen in that category at this regatta ever. This SIRA was also the first in a very long time where the squad put out a 1N4, who finished strong at 3rd in their C final.
Big shoutout to all parents and alumni who came out and showed their support this weekend! The team will be heading to Cincinnati this coming weekend for MACRA, we hope to see many of you there!
The future is shining bright for Notre Dame Men’s Rowing. R’Irish!