George Washington University
Harvard/Cornell
Men's Rowing Races at Harvard in Spring Debut
4/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Rowing
BOSTON - Inclement weather in the northeast prompted a schedule adjustment and race shift that resulted in the George Washington men's rowing team going head-to-head with host Harvard over three races on Friday evening on the Charles River.
Cornell was supposed to be a part of the opening-weekend slate, which was originally scheduled for Saturday morning, but was unable to get out of Ithaca, New York, due to winter weather.
"With the high winds predicted, as well as snow and rain for Saturday, the Harvard coaching staff wisely decided to cancel and do something on Friday evening," said head coach Mark Davis. "Unfortunately with the storm coming from New York into Boston, Cornell wasn't able to make the trip but we were happy to still be able to get a good series of races in with Harvard."
The Colonials got off the bus on Friday afternoon and hit the Charles River for a quick practice row before resting up for a bit and then getting into racing mode.
"The conditions were cold with sleet and a 10-15 mile-per-hour tailwind," said Davis. "It was chilly racing conditions but our guys handled the whole day really well."
The 3rd Varsity 8 was first on the water and placed fourth in a five-boat race that featured Harvard's 3V8, 4V8 and 5V8, as well as the Crimson's top lightweight boat. GW finished in 6:03.81, which was just 16 seconds behind Harvard's 3V8.
The 2nd Varsity 8 narrowed the gap to 13 seconds in a head-to-head race, finishing in 6:06.38 to Harvard's time of 5:53.38.
The Varsity 8 was the closest race of the evening as the Colonials stayed stroke-for-stroke with fourth-ranked Harvard across the full 2,000 meters. Harvard (5:40.10) finished just over one second ahead of the Colonials (5:41.92).
"It was a really good effort by the Varsity 8," said Davis. "Harvard got out to a length lead at the 1,000-meter mark and we were able to stay with them and not let them pull away. To be that close with one of the top teams in the program is a really positive sign for our program."
GW will host the two-day George Washington Invitational next weekend on the Potomac River. The event will feature single sessions on both Friday (1-4:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m.-1 p.m.).
3rd Varsity 8
Havard - 5:47.80
Harvard B - 5:50.85
Harcard C - 5:56.06
GW - 6:03.81
Harvard D - 6:45.45
2nd Varsity 8
Harvard 5:53.04
GW 6:06.38
Varsity 8
Harvard 5:40.1
GW 5:41.92
