SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara rowing will take to the water for the third time this season and first time in the spring at Sunday's Davis Invitational. The Broncos are slated to race against UC Davis, Sonoma State, and Cal Maritime Academy.

Santa Clara is coming off one of the best seasons in program history, which featured IRA National Championship appearances for the Bronco Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 boats. The Davis Invitational is the first of six regattas from March through May.

"The team has put in a lot of hard work over the last several months and I know the team is looking forward to getting the racing season under way," head coach Jay Farwell said. "We are still a very young team with only one senior on our roster."

The Broncos return two of their top oarsmen from a season ago in junior Ian Crutchlow and sophomore Michael Brewer; both were First Team All-WIRA selections in 2015. Farwell earned WIRA co-Coach of the Year honor last season. 

"Our coxswain group has been doing a great job and we are certainly carrying more depth in our ranks than anytime that I can remember," Farwell said. "With that said, we know we have our work cut out for us and the competition will be fierce this spring." 

DAVIS INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE

The Broncos are slated for six races in total:

8:40 a.m. Junior Varsity 8 (two boats)

10 a.m. Novice 8

10:40 a.m. Varsity 4 (two boats)

11:40 a.m. Novice 4 A

11:50 a.m. Novice 4 B 

"We are always very appreciative of UC Davis' yearly invite to their invitational and the opportunity to race them and the other invitees," Farwell said. "UC Davis' Varsity 4 won the ACRA National Championship last year and we know the guys in that championship Varsity 4 have all returned for this season. We will have our hands full in the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 events."

GO BRONCOS!