The men’s rowing varsity 8+ boat competing during the Eastern Sprints race May 18 on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. The men’s team has placed 10th in the IRA National Championship Regatta in the last three seasons. Photo by Eliza Nuestro/BU Athletics

Rowing

BU Rowing Teams Prepare for IRA National Championship Regatta

Event will be held in Camden, N.J., this weekend

The academic year may be over, but two of Boston University’s three rowing teams have one more race left in their season: the men’s rowing team and the women’s lightweight rowing team will compete in the esteemed Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championship Regatta this weekend on the Cooper River in Camden, NJ. 

Men’s rowing

Thomas Bohrer, men’s rowing head coach, acknowledges that this spring hasn’t been the most successful campaign on paper. However, calling this year a “season of development,” Bohrer says he’s seen a lot of improvement in the team’s technical progress, confidence, and speed. 

“Those are all little things that really just comprise a good team,” the coach says. “The IRA is just another opportunity on a bigger stage to continue to show where we are, and I know the guys are excited to see where to keep pushing.”

One race from this season that stands out for Bohrer is last month’s Lake Morey Invite in Vermont. The team raced against Wisconsin, Columbia, Syracuse, and Georgetown. He says a lot of the BU boats had two wins over the weekend, and the team showed a lot of confidence.

This year’s team largely comprises underclassmen, with 25 of the 43 rowers freshmen and sophomores. Tucker Thomas (CAS’25), who won the E. Ray Speare Award at the BU Athletics annual 2025 Scarlet & White Awards this spring, says the underclassmen have integrated well and made a significant contribution. 

“It is cool to tell my friends at other schools how the young guys on the team are making a big impact,” Thomas says. “It has been a season full of ups and downs, but I think we have all bonded together very well and are in a really good spot heading into the IRA.”

Bohrer notes that this season is the “year of the sophomore strokes,” as sophomores are stroking the team’s three boats. 

While the coach says teams want their Varsity 8+ boat to be the “flagship boat,” every boat matters, he says. The Terriers have finished 10th in the last three IRA Regattas, and they aim to remain a top-10 team.

The BU team needs to improve its base speed, remain poised in the elements, and strike a balance between max speeds and not overloading the rowers, Bohrer says. Ultimately, the rowers need to have a strong showing on Friday to set a tone for the weekend. “It’s all about execution,” Bohrer says. “There’s no room to have a bad race on the first race, because that’s going to impact the rest of the weekend and how you place as a team.”

Women’s lightweight rowing

The women’s lightweight rowing team has historically performed well at the IRA Regatta, with top-three finishes every season since 2015. This season, the Terriers are striving for even higher. Ela Ersan (Questrom’26) says the rowers are looking to push into first or second place.

“IRAs are what we work toward all year. Every practice, every tough piece, every moment has led us here. It all comes down to one race,” Ersan says. “Every time you walk into the boathouse, you feel purpose, drive, and positivity. You’re surrounded by teammates who show up, push through pain, and genuinely love this sport.”

While it’s been nearly a month since the team competed in their last race, head coach Mary Foster says the women are ready to compete this weekend. 

“We talk a lot about our goals so that we can stay focused on what we want to accomplish over the course of the race weekend,” Foster says. “Those conversations happen very regularly because we’re racing so much, and so we try to stay in touch with that goal-setting through the month of May.”

With several returning rowers, the team is relying on experience at this weekend’s Regatta. Kylie Lough (ENG26) is the bow in the double for the second year in a row, while Lulu Smith (CAS’24, GRS’25), Zoey Goodness (Sargent’25), and Ersan are in their third year on the Varsity 8+ boat.

“Having that experience of what it’s like to sit on the start line with that kind of pressure can really help the athletes to focus in and not get distracted or overwhelmed by that pressure,” their coach says.

One of the most important races of the season so far was last month’s Knecht Cup on the Cooper River, Foster says, the same river they’ll be competing on this weekend. That event was the first race the team had lined up against its lightweight competition. 

Heading into the IRA, the Terriers are aiming to push the varsity 8 boat into the medals for the first time since 2019—and further, to medal across the board.

“We’ve done the work. We’ve built the strength, the mindset, and the trust. Now it’s just about showing up and doing what we know how to do,” Ersan says. “It boils down to being prepared and executing what we know.”

The Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship is Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 1, on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J. Live results will be tracked here. Follow BU men’s rowing on X @TerrierMROW and women’s lightweight rowing @Terrier130Row. Find the complete racing schedule here.