Originally published Friday, June 5, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
UW crews win five of five races on opening day at IRA championships
The Huskies' varsity eight prevailed by nearly six seconds. Washington took an early lead over defending titlist Wisconsin, never trailed and finished in 5:57.00.
Special to The Seattle Times
Latest from the Husky Basketball and Football blogs
The one that got away: Charles Garcia NEW - 11/08, 05:35 AM
UW secondary to get another stiff test Saturday NEW - 11/08, 09:31 PM
GOLD RIVER, Calif. — Perhaps it was the familiar cool and overcast conditions reminiscent of home. Or maybe Washington men's rowing season has just been perfectly planned.
Whatever the formula, the result was five wins in five races today for the Huskies on the opening day of the 107th Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships at Lake Natoma.
As the prestige category of the regatta, men's varsity eights were scheduled earliest. It's a tradition that gives the most coveted boats the coolest weather early in competition because the same boats compete in the last grand final often held in the hottest weather.
Three weeks ago, the Pac-10 and Pacific Coast Rowing Championship were held at Lake Natoma in temperatures that reached 104 degrees at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.
But the West Coast debut in the 107-year history of IRAs unfolded in unusual weather. Steady rain and periodic lightning visited Northern California early this morning, and the regatta began with a temperature in the high 50s.
In the second of four heats, the Huskies' varsity eight prevailed by nearly six seconds. Washington took an early lead over defending titlist Wisconsin, never trailed and finished in 5:57.00. California, the top-seed, had the fastest qualifying team while winning the first heat in 5:51.50.
"We really wanted to come out with a strong opening 500 meters," said junior coxswain Katelin Snyder. "We accomplished that and we were just steady the entire race. We've been gearing our entire season to one event, the IRAs. I think we're peaking at the right time."
The Huskies' varsity eight boat finished second at the IRA last year and Washington has won the past two team titles. This season, the top West Coast schools have exchanged wins and the same has occurred on the East Coast among top contenders Harvard, Brown and Wisconsin.
"That's one of the stories about this regatta," said Washington coach Michael Callahan. "I believe there are more boats that can win this year than in any other IRA. It's a deep field. I just think there are a lot of players for the grand final."
Like Snyder, Callahan stressed the Huskies' start made their race.
"The goal in the water was to have a good first 500 [meters] and play to our strengths," he said. "From there we wanted to just see where we are and we did that. In the Pac-10 we got behind there [early] and we wanted to make sure we didn't get in the same position."
Washington was also victorious in second varsity eights (5:58.80), varsity fours (6:34.40), freshman eights (5:58.10) and open fours (6:51.30).
![]()
The varsity four race, the final event of the morning session, was the closest of the day. Washington fell behind Cal by a half-boat length in the first of two heats. The Huskies couldn't narrow their deficit until the final meters. With the Bears fading, Washington prevailed by a tenth of a second, pulling ahead with only a few strokes left.
The win advanced the Huskies' four boat into the Saturday finals, joining Washington's other finals competitors.
The three-day regatta continues Friday primarily with repechage races. Women's lightweight divisions will also begin.
The Huskies' varsity eight boat will compete in afternoon semifinals. The top-three finishers in two heats advance to Saturday's grand final.
Gonzaga falters
The Bulldogs finished fifth of six boats in the varsity eights (6:18:48), fifth of five in second varsity eights (6:37.67) and sixth of six in freshman eights (6:24.27). None of Gonzaga boats advanced in afternoon repechage races.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view
Share
NEW - 05:24 PM
Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
UPDATE - 03:35 PM
College Football | Notre Dame's loss to Navy puts pressure on Charlie Weis again
Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
Steve Kelley: Huskies have to learn to finish
College Football | Northwestern stuns Iowa

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- U.S. House passes health plan
377 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
265 - Decision day for health care in the House
216 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
161 - Grading the game
158 - Beavers open as 10-point favorites against Huskies
91 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
91 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
81 - Game thread: Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 8
74 - Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs
73
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- How do innovators think?
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor





