SAN DIEGO – No. 25 USD Men's Rowing junior rower Rex Bales was named to the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association 2025 DI/II Heavyweight Rowing Athlete Watchlist on Wednesday, his second straight season with the prestigious honor. 

Bales is one of 28 rowers on the list after being one of 20 last season. The IRCA release notes that, "from the six Olympians, 21 team captains, 16 U23 team members, and two Henley Royal Regatta winners to the future national team members, team captains, and breakout rowers and coxswains from all three divisions, these men and women are valued leaders at their institutions, trailblazers within their programs, and set the standard for performance and sportsmanship in D1/D2, D3, and lightweight men's rowing."

Bales most recently rowed in the fifth seat of the 25th-ranked Toreros first varsity eight boat that placed fourth in the Active&Fit Now Cal Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic on Sunday, March 30, after helping his team to a first-place finish in the preliminary heat on Saturday. 

The native of San Francisco was an Empacher-IRCA All-American, First Team All-Western Sprints, First Team All-WIRA (Varsity Eight) honoree in 2024, as well as a Team USA Under-23 National Team Sweep Camp selection in July. Bales currently holds the USD program-record Erg 2K time of 5:56.1, set on February 23 of 2024. 

The full list of IRCA Preseason Watchlist Athletes can be found HERE.