Championship Central | Results
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — Santa Clara men's rowing concluded its 2015 season as part of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association's National Championship Regatta at Mercer Lake May 29-31. The Broncos' Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 boats competed at the three-day event, with the Varsity 8 making its IRA debut as part of the team's 50th anniversary season. The weekend's competition marked the first time that Santa Clara sent a boat to IRAs in 14 seasons (2002).
Varsity 8 finished 24th out of 24 boats and Varsity 4 finished 18th out of 21 boats in a field that featured the nation's top crews.
"We had a great trip back east to New Jersey and gained a tremendous amount of valuable experience," head coach Jay Farwell said. "Competing in the IRA Regatta was very eye-opening for our team. The caliber and level of competition at this regatta is incredible. I thought our team did a good job of dealing with the time change, the humidity and the unfamiliar surroundings.
"We had visits from a few local alumni — Matt Madigan '93 and Al Ramirez '90 — who spent a lot of time with us and it was great to have their support. Brian Murphy, hall of famer and coach of the '82 Lightweight 8 national champion boat, also was there cheering us on. A number of the parents also made the trip to support the team."
VARSITY 8
Heat 1 – 6:20.283 (6th place)
Repêchage 4 — 6:21.288 (4th place)
Semifinal 4 — 6:01.730 (6th place)
4th Final — 6:00.019 (6th place)
"We knew going into the regatta that we had our work cut out for us, Farwell said. "This is a very impressive field of collegiate crews and our V8 is very young. I am not certain, but I would argue that our boat — having six freshmen, two sophomores and a freshman coxswain — was the youngest boat in the V8 category.
"With four races in that environment, I thought the V8 had some solid racing. We made a push on Oregon State in the initial heat and from there on we were looking to compete with Oklahoma City University. OCU ultimately got the best of us but I think the experience will serve us well into next year. I am really proud of this group and what they accomplished. From a historical standpoint, it was one of the best years for this program."
VARSITY 4
Heat 2 – 7:02.799 (5th place)
Repêchage 3 — 7:26.702 (4th place)
Semifinal 3 — 6:41.339 (3rd place)
3rd Final — 6:47.693 (6th place)
"The varsity 4 got some great experience as well. With two freshmen, a junior and a senior with a freshmen coxswain, the guys in this boat will provide us with more depth for next year," Farwell said. "It was a great accomplishment for them to get into the 3rd final on Sunday.
"It was a great way for our sole senior Eric Timken to end his collegiate rowing career. Eric has been through a lot with this program, experiencing a coaching change in his sophomore year along with a serious back injury. His persistence and commitment to the team really paid off and as a co-captain, he deserves recognition for leading the crew through this season. The other guys in this boat will be back next year and I hope they provide a push for the Varsity 8."
LOOKING AHEAD
The Broncos return to the water for competition in the fall before their spring 2016 season. Next year's IRA National Championship Regatta will also be held at Mercer Lake.
"We know we have a lot of work ahead of us," Farwell said. "It will be one of our goals to get back to the 2016 IRA Regatta but there is going to be a ton of work for our guys in the offseason and fall to see if we will have a chance to get back there."
