FAIRFAX STATION, Va. — San Diego men's rowing's first varsity eight traveled cross-country to compete at the highly-touted Occoquan Invitational at Occoquan Reservoir, earning a third-place finish in the grand final Sunday.
On Saturday, back in America's Finest City, the USD second and third varsity eights stayed back for the San Diego City Championships, in which they lined up against UCSD and SDSU's top boats. The Toreros topped their competition in the 2V8 race.
"I'm very impressed with how our athletes were able to come all the way across the country and have a strong showing against quality competition," said co-interim head coach Jack Newell. "There were many positives from today's racing, but we understand that we need to continue pushing, as we know our competitors are only going to gain speed between now and the end of the season."
The trip to the Nation's Capital marked the program's first visit to the East Coast this spring. On the day before racing, the Toreros made the trip into Washington, D.C., visiting the White House, the Capitol building and the Supreme Court before returning to Fairfax for an evening practice. For several members of the roster, it was their first time in the nation's capital.
The regatta featured two rounds of racing — a preliminary heat and a grand final. San Diego entered a first varsity eight against a field that included Marist, Jacksonville, Hobart and St. Joseph's.
In the morning heat against Marist and Jacksonville, the Toreros did not execute their start as effectively as intended, falling back to nearly a full length behind Marist before settling into their rhythm and pulling even. Despite the uneven opening effort, San Diego did what was needed — finishing second in 5:50.4, 4.1 seconds behind heat winner Marist and 4.9 seconds clear of third-place Jacksonville — to advance to the afternoon grand final.
The grand final shaped up to be a significantly faster race, with shifting winds producing a direct tailwind. San Diego came out with sharper intensity from the opening strokes, and all four boats — Marist, Hobart, St. Joseph's and the Toreros — remained in contact through the final 500 meters. USD executed a strong closing sprint to claim third in 5:38.9, finishing just 2.6 seconds behind first-place Marist.
"We proved we can race it and execute, but have ever more speed to keep building upon," said co-interim head coach Costas Ciungan.
The weekend also featured an unexpected connection to USD's past. Taya DiAngelo, a USD men's rowing coxswain from 1999 who rowed alongside Michael Tethem, was on hand as an assistant coach for the St. Joseph's Hawks and reconnected with the program during the regatta.
San Diego next competes at the WIRA Championships, on the Golden State's capital's Lake Natoma on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26.
RESULTS
Occoquan Invitational (Sunday, April 12)
Heat First
Varsity 8+: 2nd place (5:50.4) -4.1
Grand Final
First Varsity 8+: 3rd place (5:38.9) -2.6
San Diego City Championships
Second Varsity 8+: 1st place (6:06.4)
Third Varsity 8+: 3rd place (6:20.6)
LINEUPS
Occoquan Invitational
First Varsity 8+: Cox — Jonah McDonnell; Stroke — Jadyn Conover; 7 — Jack Conley; 6 — Rex Bales; 5 — Jack Roach; 4 — Dawson Hein; 3 — Henry Michaud; 2 — Matvey Gorshkov-Paleev; Bow — Gable Krich
San Diego City Championships
Second Varsity 8+: Cox — Nick Lee; Stroke — Colin Mulkerrins; 7 — Austin Baber; 6 — Warren Roach; 5 — Nate Cohen; 4 — Anthony Bertucci; 3 — Elliot Caron; 2 — Owen Park; Bow — Joe Tortella
Third Varsity 8+: Cox — Lilly Moyer; Stroke — Ethan Provost; 7 — Henry DeLuca; 6 — Lucas Acosta; 5 — Kacen Hamada; 4 — Jet Himmelberg; 3 — Diego Sanchez; 2 — Charlie Vedder; Bow — Tommy Vidon
