Waterville, Maine - The Colby Men's Crew team received an at-large bid for the 2026 Intercollegiate Rowing Accosciation National Championship Regatta on Tuesday. Now, the Mules will return to the national championship and compete on Collegiate Rowing's biggest stage in California at the end of the month. The 123rd running of the IRA National Championship takes place at Lake Natoma in Gold River, CA from May 29th to May 31st, 2026. The Division III races will occur on the 29th and 30th. 

Colby is one of eight Division III schools invited to the IRA regatta. Wesleyan, Trinity, Williams, Marietta, and Ithaca earned automatic bids. Tufts, Bates, and Colby earned at-large bids based on their season's results and the selection committee's decision. 

After making an appearance at the IRA National Championship last year for the first in program history, the Mules return for a second consecutive year.