SDSU Men’s Crew hit the water for spring racing for the first time this last weekend at the Cal Challenge Cup in Irvine, CA. While originally scheduled to race the Parker Cup the previous weekend at the same location, weather decided otherwise and the race had to be postponed.
The Cal Challenge Cup is an exclusive regatta format, consisting of multiple 1400-meter head-to-head races between two crews in a bracket style challenge that takes the cumulative time of the first two races to determine the Cup seeding for the final dual race. With a large part of the Varsity 8+ consisting of novice in their first spring racing action, the V8+ faced off against Orange Coast College with an open water loss. With some adjustments, the V8+ improved mightily in their second race against UCI, ultimately fading in the second half in a loss to the Anteaters. Despite the close losses the team qualified for a final race against historic rivals, CSU Long Beach that came down to the wire, with the Aztecs surging in the end and narrowly missing a victory by a bowball.
While it wasn’t the ideal ending to the day, the team walked away from the Cal Challenge Cup energized and excited to build some momentum as we push towards the San Diego Crew Classic, March 31- April 2. Come support your Aztec Rowers at the largest spring race in the country and cheer them on as they look to build towards the end of the season.
In addition, this Saturday, the team will be participating in the 5th Annual H. Del Beekley Alumni Golf Tournament. The tournament provides a great opportunity for current rowers to connect with alumni while enjoying something other than rowing. With 21 golfers and 5 rowers signed up, the event promises to be a great time! Look for the invite to next year’s event from the H. Del Beekley Alumni Foundation and come join us in San Diego for a great round of golf.
