In an incredible show of competitive depth and demonstrating a solid base for the future, UCLA Men's Rowing reached the finals with all four eights at the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championships on Lake Melton in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to conclude its 2025 season. The Bruins were one of only two programs in the country to advance all four of their eights through heats and semifinals to the Grand Finals of their respective events. This late season speed reversed earlier results to regional rivals and underscored the program's depth, dedication to improvement, and culture of athlete development.

Varsity 8: Victory Over Rival, Narrow Miss on Podium

The Varsity Men's 8 closed out its season with a gritty fourth-place finish, just 1.1 seconds shy of bronze medalist Notre Dame. Despite missing the podium, the Bruins achieved a long-awaited milestone by defeating regional rival Orange Coast College (OCC) by open water for the first time this season, reversing the results from the San Diego Crew Classic and WIRA Championships. Virginia won the event and Purdue was runner up.

First Novice 8: A Final Sprint Comes Up Just Short

The First Novice 8 also earned a fourth-place finish in a photo-finish, falling heartbreakingly short of the podium by just 0.15 seconds behind a surging Michigan crew. The margin reflected the depth of the field and growth in performance levels of the schools in the ACRA league. This marked a high point for a UCLA novice class that has shown competitive fire and rapid development throughout the year. The event was won by OCC with Michigan State was runner up.

Second Novice 8: Redemption and Resilience Earn Bronze

UCLA's Second Novice 8 secured a well-deserved bronze medal, edging out Minnesota while coming within 0.22 seconds of silver medalist Orange Coast College. The boat's result is especially notable considering it had trailed OCC's second novice eight by over 22 seconds at the San Diego Crew Classic and 10 seconds at WIRA. The crew's improvement is a testament to the culture at the UCLA Boathouse — where even the secondary boats are pushed to raise the bar, helping drive program-wide speed and accountability. Head Coach Marcel Stiffey was quick to give credit, "It's not easy to show up to practice each day and be one of the slower boats on the water. Despite that, these guys would show up and work hard for us. A huge testament to the culture Coach Weston Cole instilled in the novices this year."

Second Varsity 8: In Loaded Field, Battled to Sixth

The Second Varsity 8 capped its year with a sixth-place finish in one of the most competitive events of the regatta. Despite not medaling, the crew brilliantly earned its spot in the Grand Final through consistent racing in the heats and semifinals, and represented UCLA's depth across all boat classes.

Four Grand Final appearances from all four eights entered, a bronze medal and a pair of near-podium finishes was a massive showing. These are true student-athletes who, on their own academic merits, attained entry to the top public university in the country and deliver in the classroom and on the water. The only preferential treatment they receive is the tremendous showing of love and support from alumni, family, and friends. The 2025 ACRA Championships were a defining moment for UCLA Men's Rowing. The results reflect a program built on shared responsibility, athlete development, and a belief that this spirit of the "entire team's performance" starts by elevating every athlete — regardless of which seat or in which shell they row.

Complete results can be found at Herenow.com

Second Novice 8 Grand Final Video

Novice 8 Grand Final Video 

Second Varsity 8 Grand Final Video

Varsity 8 Grand Final Video