The Puget Sound crew teams found anything but placid waters at the Western Washington University regatta on April 17. The women’s varsity eight boat rowed against teams from Division I school Gonzaga as well as Western Washington.
With a time of 6:53.0, the Loggers came in third out of the three boats; however, they put up a valiant effort. Gonzaga took the lead with a time of 6:37.7. Western Washington, which is the top-ranked team of the NCAA’s DII, took second with a time of 6:40.0.
Although the Loggers did not pull a strong time, the weekend still held endless possibilities. The very next day, April 17, the Loggers took to the waters early as they hosted PLU on American Lake for the Meyer-Lamberth regatta.
The results were split, with both featured races, the women’s varsity four and men’s varsity eight, determined by a mere two seconds.
The Lamberth cup featured the women’s varsity four, and their loss marked the end of a string of nine consecutive Logger wins. However, the Loggers battled till the end. PLU nosed past the Loggers with a time of 8:40.0. This, when compared to the time of 8:42.1 which the Loggers clocked in, means that the Loggers took a close second.
The Meyer cup featured the men’s varsity eight. For the 11th consecutive time the year ended in Logger victory. Once again it was a close call. The Loggers came in with a time of 6:45.0, with PLU close behind with a time of 6:47.2.
The Meyer-Lamberth Regatta also featured two mini cup races: the Mini Lamberth and the Mini Meyer. The Loggers claimed victory in the Mini Lamberth with a time of 8:34.9 over PLU’s 8:51.2. The Mini Meyer went to PLU, with the Lutes pulling a 7:34.6 against the Logger’s 7:41.9.
It has been a productive year for the Logger’s crew teams. The challenges of adjusting to a new coaching staff have lessened, and the teams have really come into their own. It is taken a year, but the team has made its mark.
“Last semester was filled with intense, long conditioning practices. Innumerable hours were spent in the erg room, as well as double days during spring break and a few during the first semester to prepare us for the fast paced spring season. Crew is an all year sport. There is no off season,” sophomore Mariah Young (Los Angeles, Calif.) said.
The hard work appears to have paid off. The teams will be traveling to Lake Stevens, Wash. for the NCRC Invitational next Saturday.
“Crew embodies everything I want to achieve in life. Fighting through challenges faced, camaraderie and unity through thick and thin, overcoming mental challenge, and profound trust in the people I have come to love, is why I do crew,” Young said.
This passion should allow the Loggers to excel for the rest of season.