Port of Los Angeles, CA – April 12, 2008 – The Trojan Navy held off a spirited challenge from Loyola Marymount University to successfully defend the George Gordon Cup on Saturday. UCSB finished in third place.



“There was a lot of uncertainty going into this race,” said USC starboard oarsman Nicholas Babikian. “We had three new oarsmen move into our line-up from last week in San Diego and LMU had one of their best oarsmen back from injury for the first time. UCSB had added some heavyweights to their lineup that raced in the lightweight eights event in San Diego so no one really knew what to expect.”



The Trojans decided to push hard early in the race. “We got out in front and had a little open water on the field as we past the USC Boathouse with 850m to go,” recounted USC Captain Adam Fish, who himself had just returned to racing from a torn knee ligament.

“However in the last 500m LMU lifted their stroke rate and began pushing into our lead relentlessly,” added 3-seat Mark Martinez, also a new face in the crew. “It was all we could do to try and hold our form and just hang on.”

The race was so close at the finish post that line officials had to determine the result.

USC bowman, Buck Scalese, thought the two crews were almost even as they crossed the line. “Then I remembered our Vespoli shell has a bow at least a foot longer than LMU’s Resolute shell and I knew we likely won.”

George Gordon Cup for Varsity Eights
USC 6 minutes 37.88 seconds
LMU 6.38’11
UCSB 6.47’21

The George Gordon Cup was commissioned in honor of the memory of the USC crewman by that name. Born May 22, 1928, Mr. Gordon rowed on the first men’s varsity crew in the spring of 1949 and then again in 1950, the year he graduated. His mother, Mrs. Harriet Gordon, purchased the first set of oars for the team. Until his death Mr. Gordon served as a trustee of the Norris Foundation, which has continued to support the men’s crew financially over the years. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 74.

“George rowed on our first crews and was very active in the alumni organization,” said Jack Schumacher ‘54. “Over the years George and his close friend Kenneth Norris were among the biggest supporters of our men’s crew.”

For the Trojan Navy, racing for the Gordon Cup is an annual tribute to a USC Oarsman who gave over half a century of service to rowing at Troy.



Other Races
In other racing action UCSB won the Varsity Fours race in a hotly contested battle that saw half a dozen lead changes throughout the race. USC entered one crew in the fours event. LMU entered two varsity crews in the race and in the absence of any novice races on the day their novice eight broke down into fours to compete as well.

Varsity Fours
UCSB 7.25’15
LMU ‘A’ 7.26’78
USC 7.31’14
LMU Novice ‘A’ 7.53’76
LMU ‘B’ 7.54’26
LMU Novice ‘B’ 8.20’00

Varsity Pairs
USC ‘A’ 7.37’41
LMU 8.02’77
USC ‘B’ 8.29’91
UCSB 8.53’51

All races were rowed against an outgoing tide with a light cross-head wind.

Next up for the Trojan Navy is the duel with UCLA for the Bob Hillen Memorial Cup on Saturday April 26 in the Port of Los Angeles.