Gonzaga University
WIRA Championships
Men's Crew Has Mixed Results At WIRA Championships
4/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Crew
April 29, 2006
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Gonzaga University men's crew program had a day of mixed results as the first day of 2006 WIRA Championships came to a close at Lake Natoma just outside of Sacramento. The Bulldogs advanced one boat to Sunday's Grand Final and one boat to Sunday's Petite Final.
Gonzaga's varsity 8+ will race in Sunday's Petite Final after they were just edged out of a spot in the Grand Final by Loyola Marymount. 2.3 seconds is all that separated the top three boats in the Bulldogs heat race as UC Davis crossed at 6:02.5 followed by LMU at 6:03.5. Gonzaga was behind by a nose at 6:04.8 and will settle for a spot in the Petite Final. Based on their being three heat races for the men's varsity 8+, only the top two boats advanced to the Grand Final. UC Santa Barbara was fourth at 6:12.3. Long Beach State and Santa Clara rounded out the heat finishers.
Gonzaga had a much more positive outcome in the Novice 8+ as the Bulldogs advanced to the Grand Final with a six second victory. GU rowed a time of 6:13.0 followed by UC Davis at 6:19.4. UC Irvine was third followed by Colorado and Washington State.
Gonzaga will also have its second Novice 8+ race in a Grand Final on Sunday as the Bulldogs were one of five boats entered in that event.
WIRA Championships Day 1
(Lake Natoma, CA - 2,000 meters)
Varsity 8+ (Heat Race)
1. UC Davis - 6:02.5
2. Loyola Marymount - 6:03.5
3. Gonzaga - 6:04.8
4. UC Santa Barbara - 6:12.3
5. Long Beach State - 6:27.0
6. Santa Clara - 6:28.8
First Novice 8+ (Heat Race)
1. Gonzaga - 6:13.0
2. UC Davis - 6:19.4
3. UC Irvine - 6:23.8
4. Colorado - 6:42.7
5. Washington State - 7:03.4
