For the first time in team history UD took home the Dr. Thomas Kerr Jr. Cup, which is awarded to the men's team with the most points at the end of the regatta. UD accumulated 29 points, ahead of Georgia Tech (20) and Purdue (18). UD is the only other club team besides Purdue to win the men's point championship in the history of the regatta.
UD's Freshman/Novice squad placed first in both the heavyweight and lightweight categories. The heavyweight 8 led the entire way in its final to take home the Lev Brett Bowl, crossing the line in 5:48.857, ahead of the University of San Diego (5:50.495) and Georgia Tech (5:54.454). “This is what we were training for all year,” said Coach Joe Kleiman. “I'm very proud of their performance today and achievements throughout the season.”
The Freshmen/Novice Lightweight 8 won by a considerable margin, crossing the line in 5:47.957, to garner the Brendan Lynch Cup, ahead of second-place Milwaukee School of Engineering (6:02.489), third-place Georgia Tech (6:05.613), fourth-place St. Joseph's (6:10.466) and fifth place Ohio State (6:11.599).
Competing in the JV 8 event, UD's JV lightweights rowed hard but came up short of the medal stand. After a close second-place finish to Grand Valley in the semi-final race, the 8 struggled to keep pace in the final with the Lakers, who crossed the line first with a time of 5:48.801. Colgate finished second (5:51.669), ahead of St. Joseph's in third (5:52.182) and the Hens in fourth (5:57.927).
The Varsity Lightweight 8 placed second behind Fordham University in their final. The Rams crossed the line in 5.51.900 to UD's 5:58.728. The Hens maintained contact with Fordham until the halfway mark and held off a strong Georgia Tech sprint during the second half of the race.
Senior Andrew Millspaugh, of the college of engineering, said, “We were disappointed with second place, but fortunately we still contributed to the men's point championship. It was also a learning experience for our crew, and we'll be aiming to improve our racing strategy at this weekend's EARC championship in Worcester, Mass.”
UD finished third with a time of 5:43.150 in the semi-final, narrowly ahead of Minnesota (5:44.339). Also in the semi-final, Colgate crossed the line first in 5:38.662 to Purdue's 5:40.667. Minnesota and San Diego both avenged the previous narrow defeats by UD to place first and second respectively in the second final, with the Hens in a close third.
“I am pleased with the overall improvement of the program this year,” said Head Coach Chuck Crawford. “The V8 event is getting more competitive, but with our freshmen boats' outcomes this year, we're developing a program that will be on a solid foundation for years to come. The seniors, though not large in numbers, were instrumental by setting good examples for the younger guys. I'm happy we were able to come away with the men's point trophy, but I'm anticipating even greater accomplishments for next year's team.”
UD's lightweight squad will travel to Worcester, Mass., for the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (EARC) Championship on Sunday, May 18. The heavyweight squad will continue to train for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championship from June 5-7.
For more information, visit [www.delawarecrew.com].
Photos courtesy of UD Men's Crew Club
