Spring is Here!
By Sean Richardson
Massachusetts ended their five month racing hiatus Saturday, competing at the Class of 2003 cup on Lake Quinsigamond. UMass raced four eights in three different categories against Hamilton, Wesleyan, Colby, and host, WPI. Ultimately, it was Wesleyan who took home the cup after winning the first and second varsity eights events.
However, the Aggies first novice eight was able to come away with a victory in the third varsity eight category. The novice finished the course in 6:56.55 and were able to fend off a late surge by WPI’s 3V who finished just a half-length back. In the same event, UMass’s 3V raced to a fourth-place finish in 7:03.63 and were just two seconds off of third-place Colby.
The 1V was able to throw down a solid time in their first race of the year with a speedy 6:17.06 in a third-place effort, while finishing less than a second back of WPI. UMass’s second varsity eights rounds out the day’s racing, placing fourth in a strong field of crews with a 6:34.76 mark.
The Aggies now have a quick turnaround, as the squad will be competing Sunday at the first-ever New England State University Regatta in Lowell. UMass will race the same four boats as Saturday, except with the 1N competing in the first novice eight event. Racing will start at 9:30 and conclude at around 1pm.
