UW crews win five of five races on opening day at IRA championships

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.