GOLD RIVER, California — The Marietta College men's rowing team finished the 2026 racing season with a strong showing at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship Friday and Saturday (May 29-30). Both Pioneer crews improved on their 2025 IRA finishes.
 
"Our varsity eight raced their hearts out in the Grand Final but just couldn't keep pace," Marietta head coach Greg Myhr said. "Our 2V notched a commanding victory in the second level final."
 
Trinity won the overall team trophy with 52.5 points. Wesleyan and Williams each had 48n points with Wesleyan claiming the number two spot by virtue of their finish in the varsity eight final. Tufts was fourth with 40.5 points, followed by Bates (36 points), Marietta (30), Colby (28.5), and Ithaca (22.5).
 
In the Friday heats, the Pioneer varsity eight out-dueled Colby for a spot in the Grand Final. Marietta edged Colby by seven-tenths of a second earning its first-ever spot in the Grand Final.
 
Trinity won the heat with a time of 5:56.690, followed by Williams (5:58.850), Marietta (6:05.620), and Colby (6:06.320).
 
In the second varsity eight, Marietta Colby again battled head-to-head for the final spot in the Grand Final. This time the roles were reversed, and Colby bested the Pioneers by a second sending the Nacy Blue and White to the second level final.
 
Williams won the heat with a time of 6:05.220, followed by Trinity (6:08.380), Colby (6:16.080), and Marietta (6:17.110).
 
The varsity eight Grand Final quickly turned into a pair of three-boat races. Trinity, Wesleyan, and Williams separated from the rest of the field and battled it out for the medals. Tufts, Bates, and Marietta were left to sort out the remainder of the standings.
 
Trinity claimed the gold medal with a time of 5:54.770, with Wesleyan (5:54.920) taking the silver and Williams (5:57.460) the bronze. Tufts (6:01.320) placed fourth, Bates (6:07.910) was fifth, and Marietta (6:11.270) was sixth.
 
Marietta's sixth place finish was an improvement over 2025 when they finished eighth. The Pioneer second varsity eight also improved on last year's eighth place showing by finishing seventh this year.
 
Marietta easily defeated Ithaca in the 2V second level final. The Pioneers crossed the line in 6:25.060, well ahead of Ithaca (6:40.150).
 
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.
 
Results
Division III Varsity 8+
Heat: Trinity (5:56.690), Williams (5:58.850), Marietta (6:05.620), Colby (6:06.320)
 
Grand Final: Trinity (5:54.770), Wesleyan (5:54.920), Williams (5:57.460), Tufts (6:01.240), Bates (6:07.910), Marietta (6:11.270)
 
Marietta: Coxswain: Bryce West (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum), Stroke: Nicholas Pachete (Monroeville, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic), 7: Benjamin Harper (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South), 6: Michael Swale (Vienna, Va./James Madison), 5: Rowan Schulde (Litchfield, Conn./Litchfield), 4: Nik Simone (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City), 3: Nicolas Invernizzi (Lambare, Paraguay/Colegio Cristo Rey), 2: Alexander Cathcart (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack), Bow: Nicholas Sarno (Brigantine, N.J./Holy Spirit)
 
 
 
Division III Second Varsity 8+
Heat: Williams (6:05.220), Trinity (6:08.380), Colby (6:16.080), Marietta (6:17.110)
 
Second Level Final: Marietta (6:25.060), Ithaca (6:40.150)
 
Marietta: Coxswain: Connor Rothandler (Burke, Va./Robinson), Stroke: Nikolas Passarella (Leesburg, Va./Riverside), 7: Jackson Roca (Jacksonville, Fla./Global Leadership Academy), 6: Jacob Salvo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon), 5: Ryan Campbell (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jat), 4: Rowan Streaker (Kensington, Md./Walter Johnson), 3: Aiden Gatland (Xenia, Ohio/Dayton Regional STEM), 2: Graysen Brady (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson), Bow: Kyle Rucker (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman)