WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The Trinity College Bantams earned a bronze medal with a third-place time of 6:48.946 in the Division III second-varsity eight grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championship Regatta this afternoon on Mercer Lake.  Trinity's varsity eight posted a fourth-place time of 6:40.095 in the Division III grand final to conclude the 2022-23 sports calendar for the Bantams. 

"I am incredibly proud of the efforts from both crews today," said Trinity Head Men's Rowing Coach Kevin MacDermott.  "The varsity raced their guts out, charging down the course in the worst lane and nearly grabbing a medal.  This crew progressed so much throughout the year and I am excited to see the returners continue to develop.  The second varsity medaled at all three championship regattas – New England's, NIRC's, and the IRA.  It is a fierce bunch of young racers.  They just want to go hard and fast.  As they continue to mature, adding experience and fitness, they could continue to collect hardware in the years ahead."

The second varsity edged Bates by 0.78 seconds to take third of seven boats , while the Bantam varsity finished a couple seconds behind the Bates Bobcats to place fourth of six boats in the grand final. Williams' varsity won the gold at 6:32.401 and Wesleyan was second.  In the second-varsity race, Williams was also first, finishing in 6:39.926 and the Wesleyan Cardinals placed second at 6:47.926.  

Trinity's varsity eight, which earned a bronze medal in last year's IRA Regatta. had finished third and its second-varsity eight was runner-up in their respective Division III heats yesterday. In the varsity eight heat, Trinity posted a time of 5:59.059 to finish a half second behind second-place Bates and over two seconds ahead of Adrian to secure third in a race where the top three move on to the finals. 

"It was a scorching hot day and both crews did a good job of managing their energy, staying alert and ready, and putting their best efforts down on the course," MacDermott had said after Saturday's racing.  "The varsity raced hard for the entire course and were edged out by an excellent Bates crew.  The second varsity raced like themselves.  They are a fierce and tenacious bunch of young racers." 

"Weather was a major element of the regatta," MacDermott added.  "Racing was suspended during the afternoon on Saturday and the schedule was compressed and moved up very early this morning.  I think everyone was able to represent themselves well in fair, albeit oppressively hot conditions yesterday.  With one senior in the varsity and one graduate student in the 2V, I am so excited about the learning and the experience that these young athletes are getting this weekend.  This is such a young group, racing at a high level, with a lot more to get in the years ahead.  The Division III National Championship has been an outstanding addition to the racing program at the IRA.  We are honored to represent the College on the race course and cannot wait to begin the 2023-24 campaign to try and qualify again!"