SAN DIEGO — San Diego men's rowing capped a strong weekend on the home waters of Mission Bay with four final appearances at the San Diego Crew Classic, highlighted by a first-place finish from the second varsity eight in Sunday's grand final.
"It's been a great weekend of racing," USD Interim Co-Head Coach Costas Ciungan said. "It was great to see our boats executing the race plan and trying to go for it. The 2V winning was huge for our program but there's even more speed to gain."
Racing on Mission Bay on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, the Toreros put four boats through to Sunday's finals across the two-day regatta — their most complete showing at the event in recent seasons.
The second varsity 8+ delivered the signature performance of the weekend, crossing the line in 6 minutes, 38.97 seconds to claim the top spot in Sunday's grand final. The crew, coxed by Nick Lee and stroked by Colin Mulkerrins, had set the stage a day earlier by winning its Saturday heat with a time of 6:40.56.
The first varsity 8+, coxed by Jonah McDonnell and stroked by Rex Bales, won its preliminary heat Saturday in 6:26.90 but stepped up in class for Sunday's grand final, finishing fifth against a deeper field in 6:29.65.
The novice 8+, coxed by Shayna Blumenfeld and stroked by Ethan Provost, placed third in both rounds, clocking a 7:04.28 in Saturday's heat before finishing in 6:51.62 to get on the podium in Sunday's final.
The third varsity 8+, coxed by Conor Fox and stroked by Luke Ellersick, also earned a podium finish in Sunday's final, placing third in 7:13.38.
The regatta, one of the premier collegiate rowing events in the country, drew programs from across the nation to Mission Bay for the annual spring showcase as well as strong local support by USD faithful, alumni and even university President James T. Harris.
"The guys were just thrilled to see [President Harris] there so just a big thanks to him and the administration for their support," Interim Co-Head Coach Jack Newell said. "Our alumni that have given so much to this program starting back when they rowed and continue to do so today and our guys know how lucky they are to follow in their footsteps so its truly a great representation of our university and our team today."
UP NEXT
The Toreros are next in action on Sunday, April 12 for the Occoquan Invitational on the East Coast in Fairfax Station, Va. on the Occoquan Resevoir.
RESULTS
Saturday Heats
First Varsity 8+: 1st (6:26.90)
Second Varsity 8+: 1st (6:40.56)
Novice 8+: 3rd (7:04.28)
Sunday Finals
First Varsity 8+: 5th (6:29.65)
Second Varsity 8+: 1st (6:38.97)
Novice 8+: 3rd (6:51.62)
Third Varsity 8+: 3rd (7:13.38)
LINEUPS
First Varsity 8+: Cox — Jonah McDonnell; Stroke — Rex Bales; 7 — Jack Roach; 6 — Jadyn Michael Conover; 5 — Jack Conley; 4 — Dawson Hein; 3 — Henry Michaud; 2 — Aiden Domingo; Bow — Joe Tortella
Second Varsity 8+: Cox — Nick Lee; Stroke — Colin Mulkerrins; 7 — Austin Baber; 6 — Warren Roach; 5 — Nate Cohen; 4 — Matvey Gorshkov Paleev; 3 — Elliot Caron; 2 — Owen Park; Bow — Gable Krich
Third Varsity 8+: Cox — Conor Fox; Stroke — Luke Ellersick; 7 — Kacen Hamada; 6 — Jet Himmelberg; 5 — James Barber; 4 — Jonah McDonnell; 3 — Sloan Rowan; 2 — Bradyn Brogan; Bow — Diego Sanchez
Novice 8+: Cox — Shayna Blumenfeld; Stroke — Ethan Provost; 7 — Henry DeLuca; 6 — Lucas Acosta; 5 — Rowan Haney; 4 — Anthony Bertucci; 3 — Cooper Cross; 2 — Charlie Vedder; Bow — Tommy Vidon
