Frosh Eight Fall to LMU Lions in Close Battle

April 23, 2005

Ballona Creek, CA: The Trojans hosted Loyola Marymount and UCSB at the third annual USC Invitational Regatta on Saturday. Racing against an incoming tide and into a light head wind, USC won the Men’s Varsity Eight, Varsity Four and JV Four event. LMU won the Freshman Eight boat race.

In the blue ribbon event for the George Gordon Cup, the Trojan Navy’s varsity crew surged to an early lead in predictable fashion. “We have been fast out of the blocks all year,” said Head Coach Gene Kininmonth. “We led in San Diego but could not finish things off. We led last week in Newport Beach but suffered breakage. Today was far more satisfying to see the crew close things out in such a commanding manner.”

After establishing control over the race, USC stroke Adam Fish settled the rating to 32 strokes per minute and the Trojans cruised home to win the George Gordon Cup by three boat lengths.

In the next race, USC’s JV Four came from behind in the final 250 meters to pass UCSB to win in the closest race of the day. The Gauchos led for the majority of the race by up to a length. As the two crews approached the final 500m the Trojans made a concerted effort to pressure UCSB and draw level. The tactic worked as the Gaucho bowman caught a crab and USC pushed past to win by a third of a boat length.

The Trojans only loss for the regatta was in the Freshman Eight event. The LMU Lions pounced out to a full boat length lead and led by as much as a half length of open water over the Trojans with UCSB trailing in the middle stages of the race. USC battled back in the third segment of the race and drew within half a length. Loyola countered by taking up their stroke rate and held off the rapidly closing Trojans to record the win.

In the Varsity Four event the Trojans then revealed a likely line-up for the PAC-10 championships in stroke Alan Thesenvitz, Sterling Brisbin, William Morris, Bryan Barrett and coxswain Emily Chin. The foursome dominated UCSB ‘A’ and ‘B’ crews and held a commanding lead after just 300m into the race, which they went on to win.

Full Results USC Invitational Regatta:
Varsity Eights: “George Gordon Cup”
1. USC 6:17.2
2. UCSB 6:25.4
3. LMU 6:26.6

JV Fours:
1. USC 7:31.9
2. UCSB 7:35.0

Freshman Eights:
1. Loyola Marymount 6:35.4
2. USC 6:37.6
3. UCSB 7:10.0

Varsity Fours:
1. USC 7:05.4
2. UCSB ‘A’ 7:14.3
3. UCSB ‘B’ 7:17.5

Next up for the Trojan Navy is the USC-UCLA Dual for the Bob Hillen Cup at 2pm on Ballona Creek in Marina del Rey. Following the races the Trojan Navy will enjoy its annual Crew Banquet on campus that evening.