FOSTER CITY, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's rowing team wrapped up its fall season with an impressive showing at the Head of the Lagoon in Foster City, CA.  Starting in the second position, the Men's Varsity 8+ had the tall task of chasing down the Little Knights, a boat comprised of recent College alumni including some members who represented the United States on the national team.

Laying down a blistering pace over the first 3000 meters of the lengthy course, the Broncos closed the gap to a boat length and a half, but were not able to make up the difference over the rest of the course. Finishing in a time of 17:25 was good enough for a tie for second place with Sonoma State University.

According to senior stroke Jake Carrigan, "We had a great practice on Friday heading into the race this weekend, finally finding the rhythm that had eluded us thus far. In the opening 3000 meters, we rowed this rhythm near perfectly which will provide us motivation throughout the winter season before we regroup for Sprint Season in February."

In the Open 4+ event, with three rowers racing in the second race of the day, the crew quickly walked through Sacramento State's 4+ but couldn't close any distance on the Cal Maritime boat ultimately coming in 3^rd behind Sonoma State and Maritime. The lightweight 4+ proved to be a different story however. Starting in the 3^rd position, the crew walked through the California Lightweight program within the 1^st 200 meters, and closed on a 3 boat length lead from Sonoma State to a bow to stern deficit.

Because of the time trial format, this proved to be the turning point as the Lightweight 4+ won gold with a time of 20:15 for a 8 second margin of victory. Said Senior bowman Nikko Nascimento, "All season long we had been struggling to hit the high stroke rates for any substantial length of time. However, this race, junior stroke Drew Norell rowed with excellent rhythm enabling all us to row the high rates; ultimately giving us the confidence and speed to win the race."

The men's team is done competing for the fall season, and will now use the winter months to develop more power and speed as the team gets ready for its first Sprint race in March.

Lineups:
Varsity 8+: Coxswain Angelica Salinas, Jake Carrigan, Chris Freeburg, Wills Fallon, James Fish, Tobe Platt, Dan Cavillo, Abe Checkoway, Howie Limburg

Open 4+; Coxswain Angelica Salinas, Wills Fallon, Andy Pantoja, Jake Carrigan, Chris Freeburg

Lightweight 4+: Coxswsain Laura Miotke, Drew Norell, Spencer Rahn, Howie Limburg, Nikko Nascimento