Gonzaga University
Washington State
Varsity Crews Pick Up Four Wins At WCC Challenge
3/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Crew
March 19, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Gonzaga University men's and women's varsity crews used last Saturday's exhibition in a heavy head wind and chop to their advantage on Saturday morning as both GU crews picked up a pair of wins during first day racing at the WCC Challenge. Morning conditions at Lake Natoma outside of Sacramento included a strong side wind while the afternoon produced a heavy head wind with gusts up to 20 miles per hour.
The Gonzaga men rowed two solid pieces despite the conditions defeating the University of San Diego by 16-seconds in the morning race. GU finished the 2,000 meter race in 6:33.67 while USD crossed in 6:49.36. The Bulldog men kept it going in the afternoon session with an 8-second win over Sacramento State University. GU pulled a 6:50 while Sacramento State ended at 6:58.8.
Gonzaga's women also dominated the morning competition with a 29-second win over Saint Mary's College. GU was across in 7:20.1 while Saint Mary's struggled with a 7:49.4. Gonzaga was strong in the afternoon with a 7-second victory over San Diego. The Zags finished at 7:41.34 with USD coming in at 7:48.7.
Racing will continue on Sunday with Gonzaga facing Santa Clara University and Loyola Marymount University in two sessions.
In other Gonzaga racing action, the Bulldogs remaining women's crews faced off against Washington State University at Silver Lake with WSU winning three of four races. Gonzaga's novice 8+ won the final race of the day for the Bulldogs with the crew rowing a time of 8:20.1 followed by the top WSU novice boat at 8:31.5 and the WSU B boat at 9:00.1
In the other three races of the day Washington State's varsity 8+ won the opening race at 7:28.1 followed by the Cougars JV8+ at 7:37.3 and the Gonzaga JV8+ at 7:53.1. Varsity 4+ were raced in two sections with WSU finishing first and second in the opening race and first in the second race. Conditions at Silver Lake started with a 6 mph head wind in the opening race building to a 10 mph head wind for the final race.
The remaining Gonzaga men's crews traveled to Pullman, Wash., for an exhibition against Washington State at Wawawai Landing.
WCC CHALLENGE LAKE NATOMA (Sacramento, CA) 2,000 meters Strong head and side winds
MEN'S VARSITY 8+ Gonzaga 6:33.67 San Diego 6:49.36
Gonzaga 6:50.0 Sacramento State 6:58.8
WOMEN'S VARSITY 8+ Gonzaga 7:20.1 Saint Mary's 7:49.4
Gonzaga 7:41.34 San Diego 7:48.7
GONZAGA/WASHINGTON STATE RACE SILVER LAKE (Medical Lake, WA) 2,000 meters
VARSITY/JV 8+ WSU V8 7:28.1 WSU JV8 7:37.3 GU JV8 7:53.1
VARSITY 4+ WSU A 8:29.4 WSU B 8:45.4 GU A 8:57.5 WSU C 8:59.7 GU B 9:01.3 GU C 9:22.1
NOVICE 8+ GU 8:20.1 WSU A 8:31.5 WSU B 9:00.1
