The Stanford lightweight eight won its fourth consecutive Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship during a weather-shortened championship regatta Sunday morning on Lake Mercer in New Jersey.

The lightweight four and lightweight double Grand Finals were canceled due to deteriorating weather conditions on the water. The IRA did not award a team champion this year as a result of the canceled races.

The Cardinal eight captured its eighth Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders Trophy in the last nine years, winning the crown both years under coach Kate Bertko. Stanford is the all-time leader in IRA lightweight eight championships with eight. Wisconsin is second with five.

"I am extremely proud of our team," Bertko said. "They have worked so hard all season and had an amazing fight in the Grand Final. It was great to see them keep working hard the entire race and celebrate at the finish. I am happy for our seniors to finish their careers with another trophy. Their accomplishments are truly remarkable and they will be deeply missed."

Facing a strong headwind during the day's second race, the eight looked strong from the start in its Grand Final. The Cardinal battled with Boston, Princeton and Georgetown in the first 500.

Stanford and BU separated themselves from the rest of the field from there. The Cardinal held a slight advantage over Boston at 750 meters and stretched its advantage to five seats by the midpoint of the course.

Stanford took a length lead on the field with 750 to go and cruised to the finish. The Cardinal crossed the finish and arms were raised in celebration of its fourth consecutive trophy.

The Grand Finals in the four and the double were scheduled for Sunday morning, but around 6 a.m. conditions significantly deteriorated and IRA officials suspended competition. An hour later, IRA officials canceled the remaining races.

The four won its heat race by open water on Saturday morning, while the double placed third in its heat race and second in its repechage on Saturday to earn a spot in Sunday's Grand Final.

Men's crew

The Stanford varsity eight placed fifth in the Petite Final during a weather-shortened Intercollegiate Rowing Championships Sunday morning on Mercer Lake in New Jersey. The Cardinal captured 11th place overall in the varsity eight.

The second varsity eight did not compete in its Third Level Final on Sunday, as conditions on the water significantly deteriorated during the morning and IRA officials made the decision to cancel the remaining races in the regatta around 9 a.m. ET.

"Our varsity eight had a good regatta," said Stanford coach Craig Amerkhanian. "It wasn't a great result, but a good result under very difficult conditions. After a strong Saturday, I'm disappointed our second varsity didn't have an opportunity to compete today with several races canceled. I was looking forward to seeing them race. Overall, I am proud of this group."

The varsity eight was in fifth early among a crowded field of boats in the Petite Final.

The Cardinal tried to better its position, battling Boston early on. Stanford closed the gap to just six seats over the final 500 meters, but the Terriers held off the Cardinal at the finish.

Stanford placed fifth with a time of 6:40.962. Northeastern won the Petite Final with a time of 6:30.351, while Syracuse (6:30.539) placed second, Dartmouth (6:33.801) was third and Boston (6:37.426) took fourth.

Stanford, which finished 15th in the varsity eight at the 2017 IRA Championships, placed 11th in the 24-boat varsity eight field on Sunday.