MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - The Wesleyan men's crew team heads into the 2026 portion of it's season ranked No. 2 nationally in the IRCA/IRA Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced on Wednesday afternoon this week. Wesleyan, the 2024 Division III National Champion, are in a strong position for title contention again in 2026 as the Cardinals open the spring season on Saturday morning against Coast Guard.

Wesleyan fielded boats in two competitions during the 2025 fall season, with the varsity 8 boat placing third overall out of 42 at the Head of the Charles on October 19 while the Cardinals' V8 also placed third at the Wormtown Chase on October 25, finishing behind only Holy Cross and MIT, both of whom compete at the Division I level.

In pre-season action over Spring Break two weeks back, the Cardinals swept the competition on March 14 with all four boats taking first place. The V8 bested Embry Riddle while the 2V8 finished well ahead of Jacksonville and Stetson. The 3V8 was more than 40 seconds faster than Jacksonville and the 4V8 placed first competing against the Embry Riddle 3V8 and the Rollins Novice 8.

Several experienced rowers look to lead Wesleyan this season including two-time All-American Eli Smirin '26 (First Team in 2025, Second Team in 2024) and 2025 Second Team All-American Gus Shuman '27. Both Smirin and Shuman were named to the 2026 IRCA Athlete Watchlist, which recognizes the top athletes and top emerging talent across all of men's collegiate rowing. Coxswain Asher Israel '26 is a two-time All-American while Pierce Buckner-Wolfson '26 and Nelson Bellows '26 were both named All-Americans in 2024.