The No. 2 California men's rowing team finished as runners-up in the varsity eight Grand Final at the 2026 IRA National Championship on Lake Natoma, clocking in at 5:38.552, just one second behind No. 1 Washington. The two other boats from Cal, the second varsity eight and the third varsity eight, finished fifth and fourth, respectively. While the Bears didn't secure the team title, their varsity four clinched the national championship the day prior. Head coach Scott Frandsen praised the varsity eight's performance despite the heartbreaker finish, highlighting their tremendous effort. Overall, Cal placed fourth in the team standings with 258 total points.

By the Numbers
  • Cal's varsity eight time: 5:38.552
  • Washington's winning time: 5:37.493
  • Cal finished fourth in team standings with 258 total points.
Yes, But

Despite the strong performance from the varsity eight, the second and third varsity eights underperformed, which affected the overall team outlook. Coach Frandsen expressed disappointment over their results but remained proud of the progress the team made throughout the season.

State of Play
  • The varsity eight race was fiercely competitive, with all top four teams closely contested.
  • Cal's second and third varsity eights struggled to match the pace of their competitors, finishing outside the podium.
What's Next

Looking forward, the California rowing program will focus on improving their performance in subsequent seasons, particularly for their second and third varsity boats. The team aims to build on the successes of their top boats while addressing the challenges faced at this championship.

Bottom Line

The California men's rowing team showed resilience and skill but fell short of the championship title, highlighting both their strengths and areas for improvement as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the future.