May 29, 2003

CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY - The IRA championships got underway today on the Cooper River and Cal's Oarsmen came out strong. The Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, Freshman Eight, and Varsity Four with coxswain all advanced into their respective semifinals.

In a stunner, the Varsity Eight suffered an upset in their first round heat, losing by .26 seconds to a tough Navy crew. They stormed back in the repechage however, winning their next heat and earning a spot in tomorrow's semifinals.

Cal's Freshman Four with coxswain finished third in their heat and will have to race in a repechage heat tomorrow.

Follow all the rowing action here: www.iraregatta.com

Thursday's Heat Results can be found HERE