Trojans take home Norris Cup in hard fought battle in Port of Los Angeles.

November 7, 2004

USC struck gold to win the inaugural National Collegiate Club Rowing championships on a warm and sunny morning in the Port of Los Angeles on Saturday. The University of California, Berkeley Lightweights crew was second and San Diego State finished third.


- Norris Cup

Less than a boat-length separated USC and Cal lightweights for the first two miles of the 3-mile race, a closely fought battle, which afterward several oarsmen compared to a street fight.

“That was a great way to start the year,” said Trojan Captain Will Morris. “Win or lose, I never thought the race would be undecided for so long. The Cal Lightweights really showed up for a good race.”

"We just wanted to get to the finish as fast as we could,” added utility oarsman Tommy Simoneau. “We got a small jump on them at the start but Cal just kept pushing and pushing. They had a good rhythm set up and their coxswain kept getting them fired up. It was tough for us to break away.”

The University of Southern California opened up a several boat-length margin of victory in the final mile to finish in the time of 16 minutes 36.95 seconds to win, 14.75 seconds ahead of Cal Berkeley. San Diego State finished third in 18 minutes 27.72 seconds.

As the Trojans passed the finish flag first to win the gold medal and the Kenneth T. Norris Memorial Cup, some rowers collapsed onto their backs, others raised their arms in exhilaration. All paid tribute to the Cal Lightweights crew that never gave up, pushing the Trojans to the limits of their endurance.

Simoneau is now one of the most decorated oarsmen in USC Crew history. The gold medal won on Saturday, adds to a silver he won at the IRA National Championships (2003), and a bronze at last season’s PAC-10 Championships. He was also a member of USC’s Varsity Eight crew that recorded ten consecutive victories over UCLA (2002-2004) and was a member of the USC four selected to race at England’s Henley Royal Regatta last summer.

Trojan Coach Gene Kininmonth likens Tommy to glue that keeps his squad together. “Tommy is the ultimate team player. But more than that, he knows how to get the job done. You can absolutely count on him to close the deal under pressure and he is a big reason for the successful return of Trojan Navy in recent years.”

After a brief period in which the rowers will be allowed to hold on to the Norris Cup, it will go on display at the offices of the Norris Foundation in Long Beach, Calif.

USC is now looking forward to again hosting the National Collegiate Club Rowing Championships in 2005 and anticipates a larger field given the success of the inaugural race. Cal Berkeley and San Diego State will join USC as Founding Stewards of the race and play an active role in formulating future rules. .