Gonzaga University
Charles River Challenge
Women's Rowing Novice 8+ Shines At Charles River Challenge
4/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Crew
April 25, 2009
BOSTON, Mass. - The Gonzaga University women's rowing Novice 8+ shined on the first day of the Charles River Challenge, winning one race and placing second in another at the DeWolfe Boathouse in Boston, Mass. The Bulldogs defeated both Boston University and Northeastern University in their afternoon race and took second behind the University of Virginia in their opening race of the challenge.
The Novice 8+ led Gonzaga to its only win of the day, defeating second place Boston by 13 seconds. The Bulldogs, racing in difficult conditions with increasing cross headwinds and chop in the second 500, closed out the 2,000-meter course with a time of 8:06.2. Second-place Boston crossed the finish line at 8:19.9, followed by Northeastern, who earned third-place with a finish of 8:28.7.
In the Novice 8+'s first race of the day, the Zags came in second, 15 seconds behind winner Virginia who won the race with a sub-eight minute time of 7:50.5. Gonzaga finished the course at 8:05.4, while Northeastern again placed third with a time of 8:29.4.
The Zags Varsity 8+ had a harder outing out East, finishing third in their opening race of the challenge and falling to Boston in an afternoon dual race.
Virginia, ranked 15th in the latest Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/US Rowing Top 20, earned the morning victory over both Northeastern and Gonzaga with a time of 6:58.3. Northeastern crossed the finish line eight seconds later at 7:06.9, followed by Gonzaga who had a time of 7:21.6.
Boston, coming off a second place finish in its morning race, earned the Varsity 8+ victory over Gonzaga by nine seconds, closing out the course at 7:27.6. The Bulldogs had a time of 7:36.0.
The Second Varsity 8+ race between Gonzaga, Virginia and Northeastern was the most exhilarating race of the day. Virginia easily won the race with a time of 7:15.9, but it was the battle for second place that was heart pounding from start to finish. Northeastern barley squeaked out the second place victory with a time of 7:40.0, followed Gonzaga at 7:40.6.
Gonzaga closes out the Charles River Challenge Sunday as each of its four boats races either Radcliffe or Radcliffe and the University of Tennessee.
Sunday, April 26
8:00 a.m. - Novice 8+ - Radcliffe, Gonzaga
8:24 a.m. - Varsity 4+ - Radcliffe, Gonzaga, Tennessee
8:48 a.m. - Second Varsity 8+ - Gonzaga, Tennessee, Radcliffe
9:12 a.m. - Varsity 8+ - Gonzaga, Radcliffe, Tennessee
Day 1 Results - Charles River Challenge - Boston, Mass. - 2,000 meters
(Morning conditions: Good for Varsity 8+ races with increasing cross wind for end of races (Novice 8s). Conditions at start were difficult. Afternoon conditions: Difficult conditions, increasing cross headwind, with chop in second 500.)
Varsity 8+
No. 15 Virginia 6:58.3, Northeastern 7:06.9, Gonzaga 7:21.6
Boston University 7:27.6, Gonzaga 7:36.0
Second Varsity 8+
Virginia 7:15.9, Northeastern 7:40.0, Gonzaga 7:40.6
Boston University 7:37.5, Gonzaga 7:52.0
Varsity 4+
Virginia B 8:36.8, Virginia A 8:46.1, Gonzaga 9:03.2, Northeastern 9:24.0
Boston University 8:52.2, Gonzaga 9:17.0
Novice 8+
Virginia 7:50.5, Gonzaga 8:05.4, Northeastern 8:29.4
Gonzaga 8:06.2, Boston University 8:19.9, Northeastern 8:28.7
