REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. ? The top-ranked Stanford lightweight rowing team began its spring season on Saturday with two races against Saint Mary’s in rainy conditions at Redwood Shores.
Not only was it the first race of the spring season, but also the first race for six juniors who studied abroad during the fall. Competing in their first race of 2013-14 were Erin Antono, MacKenzie Crist, Jordan Duval-Smith, Alicia Kapjian-Pitt, Kate Kidd and Bailey Yuro.
The varsity eight led off the 2014 campaign with a near four second victory over the Gaels. The Cardinal crossed the finish line in 6:55.24, while Saint Mary’s posted a time of 6:59.09. Stanford’s top eight has won two out of its three races this year with the only non-win coming at the Head of the Charles where they were the top collegiate finisher.
“We have been working really hard over the last week while on Spring Break,” said Head Coach Al Acosta. “It was a good first race for us. We tried some freshmen in our varsity eight and they did well, but our team has plenty of work left to do.”
The?second varsity?eight lost to Saint Mary’s in head-to-head action. Stanford’s time of 7:27.31 was shy of the mark put forth by Saint Mary’s.
The Stanford lightweights will compete in two more races on Sunday at Redwood Shores. The Cardinal crew will go up against two of Cal’s openweight eights. The varsity eight will race at 10:20 followed by the JV eight at 10:30.
Great racing today at the @Pac12Challenge. Tomorrow our varsity will race at 10:20 and our second varsity at 10:30 #gostanford
— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) March 30, 2014
Stanford Results
PAC-12 Challenge
Redwood Shores, Calif.
March 29, 2014
Varsity Eight
1. Stanford ? 6:55.24
2. Saint Mary’s ? 6:59.09
Second Varsity?Eight
1. Saint Mary’s ? 7:19.49
2. Stanford ? 7:27.31