The UCLA Men's Rowing team made a strong impression at the 2024 San Diego Crew Classic, emerging as the top-performing ACRA (American Collegiate Rowing Association) varsity program. Facing tough competition from IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) schools like Cal, UCSD and Gonzaga, the Bruins held their own across multiple events, solidifying their position as a force within the ACRA ranks.

IRA vs. ACRA: Understanding the Distinction
The collegiate rowing landscape is divided into two main governing bodies: the IRA and ACRA. The IRA serves as the national championship organization for programs that offer athletic scholarships and have varsity status under their university's athletic department. Schools such as Cal, Washington, Harvard, and Yale compete at the highest levels of collegiate rowing within the IRA framework.

Conversely, ACRA represents club programs that are often student-run or receive limited funding compared to their IRA counterparts. These programs, including UCLA, UC Davis, and UCSB, operate with a different structure but showcase remarkable competitiveness and dedication. At the San Diego Crew Classic, UCLA established itself as the premier ACRA varsity squad, outperforming other club programs in a highly competitive field.

Varsity 8: Holding Their Own Against IRA Programs
The Varsity 8 event featured dominant performances from IRA schools, with Cal taking the victory, followed closely by Gonzaga and UC San Diego. UCLA finished in a respectable fifth place, on the heels of USD and well ahead of fellow ACRA competitors UC Davis and UCSB.

Notably, Cal's victory came with their Freshman 8 rather than their No. 2 ranked Varsity 8, a testament to their elite recruiting pipeline. The young Golden Bears lineup featured several world championship medalists at the junior level. This underscores Cal's ability to attract top-tier international talent, setting them apart from other programs in collegiate rowing.

Other UCLA Results: Strong Across Multiple Events
In the 2V8 final, UCLA secured a fourth-place finish , trailing IRA schools UC San Diego, USD, and Gonzaga but ahead of UC Davis, UCSB, and UCI from ACRA. The depth of the Bruins' squad was further demonstrated in the Novice 8, where they placed third behind powerhouse Orange Coast College (OCC) and Gonzaga.

In the 2nd Novice 8, UCLA secured second place, ahead of UCSB but behind OCC. The Bruins' Lightweight 8 delivered an impressive victory, finishing well ahead of UCSB, highlighting UCLA's depth in multiple categories. Andrew Josephbek sat bow of the lightweight eight with a front row view of the blades in front of him. "Despite differing skill levels and challenging conditions, the lightweight eight pulled through and took the gold for the second time in as many occurrences. Though rough in execution, we had a fun race."

Coach Weston Cole, who oversees the novice crews and is familiar with the landscape, reflected on their performance: "It was a good weekend of racing at the Crew Classic, and the novices come out of the weekend with work to do. We have seen significant progress over the last month to get them to this point, but we will have to put our foot on the gas to catch two fast OCC crews that I believe are leading the ACRA competition. We look forward to getting to work this week."

Looking Ahead: Rivalry Showdown with USC
The Bruins now turn their focus to their crosstown rivalry with USC on April 12. UCLA Men's Rowing has long held the claim to bragging rights in Los Angeles.

Complete results: https://m.regattamaster.com/#vwResultsBySchedule/1551