Gonzaga University
WIRA Championships
Bulldogs Dominate First Day Of WIRA Championships
5/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Crew
May 2, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Gonzaga University men's rowing team dominated the first day of the 2009 Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships Saturday, winning all three of its heat races on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif., to advance to Sunday's Grand Finals.
"Our team was highly motivated coming into the weekend and they showed it today," stated head coach Dan Gehn, whose Varsity 8+, Junior Varsity 8+ and Novice 8+ boats won their three races by an average of five seconds. "I am proud of how well they all raced and am excited to see how things pan out tomorrow."
The Junior Varsity 8+ set the tone for the day, winning the Zags first heat race of the morning with a time of 6:15.4, nearly four seconds ahead of the next closest boat. UC Davis turned in a time of 6:19.5 to capture second place and was followed by UC Irvine who was clocked at 6:20.1. All three boats, in addition to UC San Diego, Orange Coast College, and the University Colorado, advance to tomorrow's Grand Final set for 11 a.m.
The Zag Varsity 8+ was the second GU boat to hit the water and captured the victory easily as it was the only boat to finish with a sub-6 minute time in either of the two heats. The Bulldogs finished the 2,000 meter course in 5:59.2. Sacramento State University claimed second place with a time of 6:05.3. Orange Coast College rounded out the top three, crossing the finish line at 6:08.4.
The Varsity 8+ Grand Final is set for Sunday at Noon and will feature Gonzaga, Sacramento State, UC San Diego, Santa Clara University, University of San Diego and UC Davis.
In the final race of the day for Gonzaga, the Novice 8+ put together a stellar race and earned a four-second victory with a 6:11.5 mark; the second fastest Zag time of the day. UC San Diego and UC Davis finished second and third respectively, with times of 6:15.5 and 6:20.7.
The Bulldogs will race for the gold, along with UC San Diego, UC Davis, Orange Coast College, Weber State University and UC Santa Barbara, at 10:10 a.m.
WIRA CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 1 RESULTS (Heat Racing)
Varsity 8+
1. Gonzaga, 5:59.2
2. Sacramento State, 6:05.3
3. Orange Coast, 6:08.4
4. Sonoma State, 6:22.9
5. Long Beach State, 6:36.4
Junior Varsity 8+
1. Gonzaga, 6:15.4
2. UC Davis, 6:19.5
3. UC Irvine, 6:20.1
4. Weber State, 6:39.9
5. Puget Sound, 6:51.6
Novice 8+
1. Gonzaga, 6:11.5
2. UC San Diego, 6:15.5
3. UC Davis, 6:20.7
4. San Diego, 6:28.0
5. Puget Sound, 6:51.8
6. Long Beach State, 7:02.5
