Nov. 9, 2003

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men and women's crew competed at the Redhead Regatta Sunday morning at Redwood Shores near San Mateo, Calif. The Broncos sent five boats out into competition, two of which were taking part in their first race of the season.

Santa Clara's men's crew was competing in its first event of the season and entered two boats in the men's collegiate eight division. The SCU men's eight A boat crossed the finish line in a time of 15:44.8, good enough for third place behind Saint Mary's (15:29.1) and the Cal men's lightweight boat (15:36.9). Santa Clara's B boat finished the race in a time of 16:53.3, claiming fourth place in the division.

The women's novice eight was one of five boats competing in their division, with the Broncos taking fourth place in a time of 23:01.1, nearly four minutes ahead of the Peninsula Aquatic Center who finished fifth. California's lightweight A boat captured the division with a time of 19:23.5, two full minutes ahead of second place BIAC and the Cal lightweight B boat.

SCU's women's varsity four entered two boats in the Collegiate Four division with the varsity A boat winning the race in a time of 19:20.1, crossing the finish line one-tenth of a second ahead of Saint Mary's A boat. The Broncos' B boat finished third in a time of 21:49.5, eight seconds fasted than Saint Mary's B boat that rounded out the group with a time of 21:57.3.

Racing was difficult for all teams as intermittent rain and the style of race led to slower times. The Redhead Regatta was run with staggered starting times, making it tough for teams to judge exactly where they were in the race, making it essentially a time trial.

The Bronco men and women will both return to the water next week in Foster City as they take part in the Head of the Foster City Lagoon on Sunday, November 16. Following that race both teams will not compete again until the annual Indoor Testing meet on February 7 in Sacramento, Calif.