September 2007
Number One from Day One Print
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Photo by Dan Lepse.
Washington won its 12th varsity eight national championship on June 2, while the second varsity and open four boats also garnered gold during the final day of the men’s Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) championships on the Cooper River in New York. The Huskies’ top crew completed a perfect season—their first since 1997, which was also the last year they won a varsity eight national championship. The Huskies were the regatta’s top seed and the nation’s No. 1-ranked team all season.

“It’s really gratifying,” Coach Bob Ernst said. “When you have a really special bunch of athletes, you expect special performances. Anything less than what we did today wouldn’t have been good enough. We’re blessed to have super athletes right now and they know how to race.”

The three event titles were the most for Husky crew teams since 1997 when they claimed top IRA honors in the three eight-oared events. In the grand final, UW out-raced Harvard and California crews that combined to win the last eight IRA titles.

Also see: UW Men’s Crew