Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Nich Lee Parker Named IRA LWT Coach of the Year; LWT V8 Wins Crew of the Year
6/28/2022 12:00:00 PM | Lightweight Rowing
Columbia Lightweight Rowing's Varsity Eight won the IRA Lightweight Rowing National Championship on June 5.
NEW YORK — After taking home the 2022 Intercollegiate Rowing Association Lightweight Rowing National Championship, Columbia Lightweight Rowing's National Championship winning Varsity Eight boat has been named the 2022 Crew of the Year. Additionally following his season at the helm leading Columbia to the title, head coach Nich Lee Parker was named IRA Lightweight Coach of the Year for the second time in his career as part of the IRA postseason awards as announced on Monday, June 27.
"Coach and Crew of the Year are special awards to win and we as a program are grateful for the honors," said Parker. "It requires not only those individuals working together at a high level, but also the support staff and infrastructure around them.
"We talked about learning faster and improving your skills as critical components for this season. Staying on task, trusting the process, trusting each other, and learning how to develop with so many obstacles was an incredible achievement for this crew. It wasn't just the athletes who ultimately raced in the varsity that did this, it was the whole team that was committed to performing when it counts most."
The 2022 title, won on June 5 at the IRA Championship Regatta, was the third for the Lions under Parker and first since 2018. The Lions, who battled through adversity all season long, peaked at the right time taking the championship in a scorching 5:56.348 beating second-place Navy by roughly two seconds (5:58.306).
Columbia's Lightweight Varsity Eight was only part of the weekend for Columbia, adding to an overall points trophy for the Lightweight program. All three Lightweight boats finished inside the top-four and the Second Varsity Eight won a bronze medal for another Lions' podium finish.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS: Stay up to date on all things Columbia Rowing by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsRowing), Instagram (@culionsrowing) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
"Coach and Crew of the Year are special awards to win and we as a program are grateful for the honors," said Parker. "It requires not only those individuals working together at a high level, but also the support staff and infrastructure around them.
"We talked about learning faster and improving your skills as critical components for this season. Staying on task, trusting the process, trusting each other, and learning how to develop with so many obstacles was an incredible achievement for this crew. It wasn't just the athletes who ultimately raced in the varsity that did this, it was the whole team that was committed to performing when it counts most."
The 2022 title, won on June 5 at the IRA Championship Regatta, was the third for the Lions under Parker and first since 2018. The Lions, who battled through adversity all season long, peaked at the right time taking the championship in a scorching 5:56.348 beating second-place Navy by roughly two seconds (5:58.306).
Columbia's Lightweight Varsity Eight was only part of the weekend for Columbia, adding to an overall points trophy for the Lightweight program. All three Lightweight boats finished inside the top-four and the Second Varsity Eight won a bronze medal for another Lions' podium finish.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS: Stay up to date on all things Columbia Rowing by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsRowing), Instagram (@culionsrowing) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
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