PENNAUSKEN, N.J. – San Diego Men's Rowing wrapped up it's stateside season on Saturday at the IRA National Championships, tying a program-best 10^th place finish in the Varsity Four B Final in the US Intercollegiate Rowing Association's culminating event.
 
"The guys raced bravely from the start, fighting through the whitecap conditions to beat some Blue Blood programs," said Head Coach Bart Thompson. "An unfortunate injury forced an unexpected change in the lineup last week and this finish showcases their resolve and depth."
 
The lone Torero crew at the event of All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation stroke Derek Hissong, third seat Sam Pigott, second seat Rex Bales, freshman bow Joe Tortella and coxswain Jonah McDonnell started the weekend with a torrid time trial.
 
Facing the nation's best four-man coxed crews, the Toreros paced to a fifth place of 39 entries finish with a time of 6:09.39 on Friday morning on the Cooper River. That afternoon, they followed it up with a fourth-place finish of their ABC semifinal, just shy of a National Championship final qualification.
 
"In the semifinal we didn't get off the line well but moved from sixth to second in the middle 1000 of the piece," explained Thompson. "Ultimately, we fell to other talented crews in a tight sprint."
 
The semifinal finish of 6:24.71 Friday afternoon did however put USD through to the B Final for Saturday. In the ultimate event for the Toreros, they finished in fourth in their heat, putting them at 10^th overall in the Varsity Four competition, tying last season's program-best placement in the event.
 
That doesn't conclude the 2025 season for the Toreros, however. From July 1-6 the Toreros will be competing overseas in one of the World's most premiere regattas, the Henley Royal Regatta located on England's famous River Thames in the town of Henley-on-Thames.