Trojan Navy Sweeps in Double Header Weekend of Boat Racing.

November 7, 2004

Newport Beach, CA: USC recorded a stunning first-ever victory over 23 crews in the Men’s Open 8 event at the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival (NARF) held in Newport Beach on Sunday. The win followed up on a triumphant performance by the Trojans at the National Collegiate Club Rowing Championships in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The Newport Autumn Rowing Festival, a time trial race from Lido Island to Newport Aquatic Center in the Back Bay of Newport Harbor, is the West Coast’s largest rowing event of the Fall.

USC improved from its second place finish in 2003 and sixth place in 2002.

“We feel vindicated,” said an exhausted Trojan oarsman Sterling Brisbin. “Today was vindication for any questions about our victory on Saturday and for all the doubts people had about our ability to win. This weekend was a huge pump up for the rest of the season.”

Brisbin said racing two days back to back was a good way to open the season. “I was definitely not at 100% in terms of rest but was mentally stronger after being pushed by Cal on Saturday. Knowing that the whole crew could come together under pressure and pull as one was a big confidence builder. The effort made by everyone was phenomenal and it paid off.”

The Trojan Varsity Crew:
National Collegiate Club Champions
& Winners of NARF

Cox Romina Puente-Arnao
Stroke Alan Thesenvitz
7. J.C. MacMillan
6. Will Morris
5. Sterling Brisbin
4. Ryan Steers
3. Tommy Simoneau
2. Jeff Clark
Bow Kevin Lorell

The Trojan’s Jayvee crew also raced in the Open 8 category finishing 14th and the freshmen raced in the Collegiate Novice 8 event finishing a respectable ninth out of 19 entries.

Results: Newport Autumn Rowing Festival
Men’s Open 8
1 USC A 15:42
2 Sac State A 15:44
3 UC Davis A 15:46
4 UCSD A 15:54
5 UCI A 15:46
6 UCLA 15:58
7 OCC B 15:59
8 OCC A 16:05
9 USD 16:18
10 Trident Bihvhar LB 16:19
11 SDRC 16:29
12 UCSD B 16:46
13 UCSB 16:49
14 USC B 16:51
15 OCC C 16:55
16 LMU 16:58
17 Sac State B 16:58
18 Arizona State 17:35
19 UCI B 17:47
20 San Diego St. A 18:02
21 San Diego St. B 18:05
22 Long Beach State 18:28
23 Tempe Junior 19:13
24 Cal Maritime Academy 22:14

FULL RESULTS

Next up for the Trojan Navy is the Shell Games Regatta against UCLA on November 20.