Friday, May 29
Sacramento, Calif.
Sacred Heart
at
IRA National Championship (LTW)
Sacred Heart Lightweight Rowing Closes Historic Inaugural Season at IRA National Championship
6/1/2026 2:15:00 PM | Women's Rowing
Sacramento, Calif. – Sacred Heart Lightweight Rowing capped off a historic inaugural season at the IRA National Championship this weekend, highlighted by a victory in the Lightweight Varsity Four Petite Final and a runner-up finish in the Lightweight Varsity Eight Petite Final.
Sacramento, Calif. – Sacred Heart Lightweight Rowing capped off a historic inaugural season at the IRA National Championship this weekend, highlighted by a victory in the Lightweight Varsity Four Petite Final and a runner-up finish in the Lightweight Varsity Eight Petite Final.
The Pioneers finished eighth overall in the national championship regatta, competing against some of the nation's most established lightweight rowing programs.
The Lightweight Varsity Four delivered one of the program's most impressive performances of the season, winning the Petite Final with a time of 7:48.178. Sacred Heart crossed the line ahead of Georgetown, a crew the Pioneers trailed by 19 seconds at the Women's Sprints Championship just one month earlier.
The Lightweight Varsity Eight followed with a strong showing of its own, placing second in the Petite Final in 7:22.499 to close out the weekend.
"Getting the opportunity to travel and compete on the national level was an accomplishment in itself for our team," said sophomore coxswain Ava Del Greco. "Making our championship debut and being able to beat a strong Georgetown crew solidifies the strength of our team and the bright future we've dreamed of for our new program."
The national championship appearance marked the culmination of a season-long goal for Sacred Heart's inaugural lightweight squad. After a challenging performance at Women's Sprints, the Pioneers regrouped and delivered some of their strongest racing of the year when it mattered most.
"Being able to compete at nationals has been a big accomplishment as this is what we have been focusing on our whole season," said sophomore coxswain Jacqueline Paradiso. "We've had our ups and downs with the eight, but this race was really what solidified our worth in the league. Being able to cut down margins and seeing that nothing is truly given has shaped us into how we performed this weekend."
Assistant coach Dawson Shyne-Appignani praised the team's resilience and commitment throughout its groundbreaking first season.
"I am incredibly proud of all 14 women who chose to be part of Sacred Heart's inaugural lightweight rowing season," said coach Shyne-Appignani "From the beginning, our goal was to prove that we belonged among the nation's premier lightweight programs. After Women's Sprints, this team recommitted itself to that mission and responded with its best racing of the season on the sport's biggest stage.
"Our Lightweight Varsity Four's victory in the Petite Final showcased the growth of this group, while our graduating captains, Olivia Nguyen and Yelanni Diaz, led the varsity eight to its strongest performances of the year in their first national championship appearance. They helped establish a culture of resilience and determination that will continue to shape this program moving forward.
"This group laid a foundation that will impact Sacred Heart Lightweight Rowing for years to come. The future is bright, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum."
With a national championship appearance and strong finishes against the nation's top competition, the Pioneers conclude their first lightweight season having firmly established themselves on the national stage.
The Pioneers finished eighth overall in the national championship regatta, competing against some of the nation's most established lightweight rowing programs.
The Lightweight Varsity Four delivered one of the program's most impressive performances of the season, winning the Petite Final with a time of 7:48.178. Sacred Heart crossed the line ahead of Georgetown, a crew the Pioneers trailed by 19 seconds at the Women's Sprints Championship just one month earlier.
The Lightweight Varsity Eight followed with a strong showing of its own, placing second in the Petite Final in 7:22.499 to close out the weekend.
"Getting the opportunity to travel and compete on the national level was an accomplishment in itself for our team," said sophomore coxswain Ava Del Greco. "Making our championship debut and being able to beat a strong Georgetown crew solidifies the strength of our team and the bright future we've dreamed of for our new program."
The national championship appearance marked the culmination of a season-long goal for Sacred Heart's inaugural lightweight squad. After a challenging performance at Women's Sprints, the Pioneers regrouped and delivered some of their strongest racing of the year when it mattered most.
"Being able to compete at nationals has been a big accomplishment as this is what we have been focusing on our whole season," said sophomore coxswain Jacqueline Paradiso. "We've had our ups and downs with the eight, but this race was really what solidified our worth in the league. Being able to cut down margins and seeing that nothing is truly given has shaped us into how we performed this weekend."
Assistant coach Dawson Shyne-Appignani praised the team's resilience and commitment throughout its groundbreaking first season.
"I am incredibly proud of all 14 women who chose to be part of Sacred Heart's inaugural lightweight rowing season," said coach Shyne-Appignani "From the beginning, our goal was to prove that we belonged among the nation's premier lightweight programs. After Women's Sprints, this team recommitted itself to that mission and responded with its best racing of the season on the sport's biggest stage.
"Our Lightweight Varsity Four's victory in the Petite Final showcased the growth of this group, while our graduating captains, Olivia Nguyen and Yelanni Diaz, led the varsity eight to its strongest performances of the year in their first national championship appearance. They helped establish a culture of resilience and determination that will continue to shape this program moving forward.
"This group laid a foundation that will impact Sacred Heart Lightweight Rowing for years to come. The future is bright, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum."
With a national championship appearance and strong finishes against the nation's top competition, the Pioneers conclude their first lightweight season having firmly established themselves on the national stage.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
Saige Harper Paris 2024
Tuesday, April 16
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 13
Friday, March 08
Behind the Boards (WIH): Season 2, Episode 14
Friday, February 23
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 12
Friday, February 16
