LINKS: Crew Classic Official Site | Heat Sheets | Results

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara men's rowing will travel south for its first event in three weeks at the 43rd San Diego Crew Classic. The Broncos are sending their Varsity 8, Junior Varsity 8 and Novice 8 boats to America's Finest City for one of the biggest regattas in the young season. 

"The Crew Classic is a first-class event and the first large regatta of the season, so it provides us with an early look at our competition this year," head coach Jay Farwell said.

The Bronco Varsity 8 boat will race in the first event of Saturday's slate, with a 7:20 a.m. start time in the first Cal Cup heat. Santa Clara is one of 18 crews vying for the Cal Cup, and can advance to the grand final by taking first or second place in the seven-boat heat. This boat has captured first place in each of its two races this spring.

"This is a very competitive field and the Varsity 8 will have to perform at a very high and consistent level to do well," Farwell said. "The guys have been working really hard and are focused for this weekend's opportunity to compete for the Cal Cup.  We are looking to build off of last year's performance when our Varsity 8 placed third." 

Santa Clara's Second Varsity 8 races in the second of three heats in its event at 9:28 a.m. The Novice 8 boat takes to the water for a 10:52 a.m. start time. Both boats have featured personnel changes in the last few weeks. 

"The Second Varsity 8 has been making significant strides over the last several weeks," Farwell said. "We have made a few switches for this race and we are expecting a good push from this boat in a very deep and competitive field.

"We are expecting a good race from our novice group as well.  Our Novice 8 lineup has changed a bit over the last several weeks so it will be interesting to see how this group performs in a big race environment."

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