DERBY, Conn. -- The 2024-25 Yale lightweight squad made its debut at the Head of the Housatonic Sunday, marking the Bulldogs' first competition since IRAs last spring.

The Head of the Housatonic is a good early fall test, and good preparation for the Head of the Charles. The lightweights entered the Men's Open IRA event and competed against their heavyweight counterparts and opposing crews from Brown, Columbia, Massachusetts Maritime, Trinity and Williams.

In the Men's Open IRA Eights, the Bulldogs finished fifth with their "F" boat in a time of 12:49.8. A Yale heavyweight boat placed first (12:29.1). Other Yale lightweight boats finished 11th and 14th.

Yale had four boats in the 4+ Open Men, where the Y150 earned first, second, fourth and fifth. The first-place boat finished in 14:15.5.

The Head of the Housatonic is one of the largest single-day regattas in the country, with more than 40 events.

The Bulldogs will now look ahead towards the Head of the Charles on October 20.