Senior heavyweight rower David Wakulich set a record for the fastest ever 2000 meter time for Harvard on Sunday at the C.R.A.S.H.-B. Regatta at Agganis Arena.

Wakulich, Harvard’s sole heavyweight representative, entered himself into the competition because he wanted to test himself and take advantage of his last chance to compete in the event while at Harvard.

Wakulich, grew up in St. Catharines, Ont., a rowing town, and picked up the sport in high school after a family friend and coach encouraged him.

After being injured in the beginning of his college career, Wakulich developed quickly in his sophomore spring, earning a spot in the first varsity boat that year.

“He’s stronger now than he’s been at any point,” coach Harry Parker said. “He’s also been very good rowing at home in Canada.”

Harvard doesn’t specifically train for this event, but Wakulich took the initiative to enter the race and better himself.

“It’s a neat venue—a lot of noise and a pretty energetic atmosphere,” said Wakulich of the event. “The noise boosts your performance. They might not be cheering for you, but you can pretend everyone is. It definitely is a confidence boost.”

This historic event brings 2000+ male and female coxswains, lightweight, and heavyweight rowers to Boston, ranging in age from 14 to 90+.

Prior to competing, rowers submit their latest 2k sprint times and are positioned based on time for their race. The top recorded times are grouped together in the front row of ergs, and Wakulich was competing there in the event’s final race of the day.

“[Wakulich was in] the honor row [where] the fastest people that everyone wants to watch sit,” junior rower Nick Jordan said.

“It’s helpful to initially sit down and see two huge guys beside me and think, ‘okay, I gotta pull hard,’” Wakulich added.

Wakulich was looking to test himself against his own time as well as the other best in the world, so he encouraged his good friend, Washington sophomore Conlin McCabe, with whom he rowed on the Canadian junior team, to enter. Wakulich wanted the competition to make him row faster, and he was aware of McCabe’s caliber and training. McCabe ended up winning the event with a time of 5:48.0.

Overall, Wakulich placed fifth out of about 250 rowers and third in the Under-23 division. His lightning speed of 5:56.9, just .1 seconds behind the 4th place finisher, was .9 faster than his previous time, making it a personal best and the fastest time for Harvard yet.

“He’s always been one of our leading members,” Harvard captain Ant Locke said. “He always manages to produce performances when it counts.”

“Dave is a very, very capable rower,” Parker continued. “He works very hard and he’s getting stronger every year. He did an outstanding bit of rowing on Sunday.”