DAVIS, March 14: USC's freshman crew opened its spring season with a win in surprising circumstances at the Davis Invitational Regatta held in the Port of Sacramento.

The Trojan Navy freshmen blasted off the start to open up an early open water lead but then had to row the majority of the race with only seven oarsmen when stroke Toby Jacobson's seat broke at the 500m mark of the 2000m event.

"We opened the race at about 48 strokes per minute and one of the wheels on my seat just burned out," said Jacobson. "All I could do was gunnel my oar and sit really still and just hope my crew could hang on." In fact, the Trojans continued to move away from UC Davis and Sonoma State as the race continued.

"I think we actually went faster," joked 7-seat Allan Thesenvitz, who set up a new rhythm for his crew after Jacobson was forced to drop out.

Freshman Eight Race:
USC   6:31
UC Davis   6:37
Sonoma State   6:55

The varsity squad will open its season on March 20 in Redwood Shores against Stanford and the University of British Columbia.