The 2026 spring racing season has concluded, and Rutgers Crew has much to be proud of. The team demonstrated tremendous dedication and depth throughout the year, retaining 49 athletes through the end of the season, including 16 novice rowers. Every member of the squad showed significant improvement, and with only five athletes graduating, the program is well positioned for continued success.

The novice group faced a challenging spring marked by injuries and demanding schedules, yet they persevered and produced impressive results. During the regular season, the Freshman 8 posted strong performances at the GW Invite and Susquehanna Duals. The crew was competing effectively against varsity-level crews through the season, including pushing ahead of George Washington’s 3V. Despite racing the same lineup only once all season, the Freshman 8 improved its margin over Virginia’s freshman crew by nine seconds and closed the gap to Michigan by three seconds. The crew capped its year with a third-place finish in the Petite Final at the ACRA Championship in one of the strongest freshman fields in recent years. More importantly, the group demonstrated resilience and determination that will strengthen the varsity ranks for years to come.

The Third Varsity also battled lineup inconsistency but continued to improve steadily throughout the season. Composed primarily of second-year rowers with one first-year athlete, the crew earned strong victories over Notre Dame and George Washington. At ACRA, the 3V improved its margin over Michigan’s Championship 3V by five seconds and closed five seconds on Bucknell’s 3V compared to earlier spring racing. The crew concluded the season by reaching the Grand Final at ACRA—the first Rutgers Third Varsity crew ever to achieve that milestone.

The Second Varsity experienced perhaps the greatest development of any crew this season. With five second-year athletes, one first-year athlete, and a sophomore coxswain, the boat was exceptionally young for its category. During the regular season, the 2V earned decisive victories over Lehigh, Minnesota, Bucknell, and Notre Dame. The crew continued to improve throughout the spring and delivered an outstanding performance at ACRA, narrowly missing the Grand Final after staying with the leading crews through 1,800 meters. More importantly, this group learned how to race beyond the sum of its parts—an essential characteristic of championship-caliber crews. The 2V finished 11th overall at the ACRA Championship.

The Varsity 8 entered the season with five new members from the previous year’s top boat and showed dramatic improvement throughout the spring. Rutgers opened the season by defeating defending champion Virginia at the Susquehanna Duals and later earned victories over George Washington, Lehigh, Michigan, and Minnesota. At the ACRA Championship, Rutgers defeated third-ranked Notre Dame in the heats—the first time Rutgers has beaten Notre Dame at ACRA in the Varsity 8. In the semifinal, while positioned to qualify for the Grand Final, the crew suffered equipment failure when a seat came off its slide approximately 1,250 meters into the race. Although the crew recovered and fought through the remainder of the piece, Rutgers narrowly missed advancing. In the Petite Final, the Varsity finished just 0.6 seconds out of third place in a fiercely contested race.

Despite narrowly missing the Grand Final, the Varsity’s performance throughout the championship demonstrated the tremendous potential of this young group. With only two graduating oarsmen and the coxswain departing, the core of the Varsity returns with significant momentum heading into the offseason.
More than anything, this season reinforced the direction and potential of Rutgers Crew.

The team now turns toward a summer of training with high expectations and excitement for what can be accomplished in the coming year.

UPSTREAM RED TEAM!