SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego men's rowing team hits the road to the Pacific Coast Rowing Championship Western Sprints  on Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif., on Saturday.

The Western Sprints serve as the regional qualifier for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships. The top two teams in the Varsity 8+ boat earn a spot in the IRA Nationals in Mercer Lake, N.J., in two weeks.

Three Torero boats will hit the water on Saturday, including the Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+ and Third Varsity 8+. The Toreros are looking for another solid performance this weekend to qualify for the nationals for a second consecutive season.

The level of excitement in the air is palpable as every team is striving to extend their season and race at the highest level possible. There have been many bright spots this season, and a lot of teachable moments.

The goal this weekend is to put everything together and compress the hundreds of hours of training into each stroke for one complete race.

USD Line-Ups