Washington sweeps IRAs, claims fifth consecutive national championship
On Sunday at the IRA finals, the Washington Huskies swept all five of their events – Men's Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+, Third Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+ and Freshman 8+ – for the program's fifth consecutive national championship. UW is the first team to accomplish that feat since the event started in 1895.
The UW men won their 9th straight Ten Eyck Trophy as overall points champ at IRAs. pic.twitter.com/2JwQcFBbLZ
— UW Husky Crew (@UWHuskyCrew) May 31, 2015
Among the Huskies' awards and accolades:
- It was the 24th Stewards' Cup overall for the Varsity 8+.
- This was the third time (2012, 2013) the Huskies have swept every single race at the event. It was the 18th title for the Varsity overall, and the sixth in the past seven seasons.
- Head coach Michael Callahan was named national coach of the year for the sixth season in a row late last week. On Sunday, yet again, the reward was validated.
Conference rivals Cal, who looked to be the top challenger entering the week, finished second in the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+. The Bears challenged the Huskies down to the final seconds, but ultimately came up just a touch short. The third Varsity 8+ finished in third place, and Second Varsity 8+ finished in fourth.
Stanford capped off its strong week with a sixth-place finish in the Third Varsity 8+ behind Washington and Cal. The Cardinal finished third in the Varsity 4+ as well.
But this week – as is becoming tradition – it was all about the Huskies, who have built a dynasty. One that doesn't show any signs of slowing down.