SEATTLE – Stanford men's rowing completed its fall season in golden fashion. The Cardinal varsity eight captured the gold medal in its race at the Head of the Lake regatta in Seattle.
Stanford's eight raced down the Montlake Cut course in 16:11.671 to defeat Washington on its home course. In a very tightly-contested race, the Cardinal edged the Huskies (16:12.368) by seven-tenths of a second for the win.
The varsity eight, coxed by Ardsley Sanders, featured Ryan Hails (stroke), Brennan Wertz (seven seat), Jovanni Stefani (six seat), Peter Wood (five seat), Bart Scherpbier (four seat), Ryan O'Rourke (three seat), Drew Taylor (two seat), and Allen Reitz (bow seat).
Oregon State placed third in the race with a time of 16:41.568.
The gold medal for the Cardinal varsity eight continues a successful couple of months for the boat. At the 2016 IRA Championships in New Jersey last May, Stanford's varsity eight captured the Clayton W. Chapman Trophy recognizing the Most Improved Team in the national regatta. Stanford finished second in the Petite Final to place eighth overall in the varsity eight at the IRAs.
The Head of the Lake concluded the 2016 fall season for the Cardinal. Stanford will open the spring championship season April 1-2 at the San Diego Crew Classic down on Mission Bay in San Diego, California. The Cardinal will race on its home course in Redwood Shores, California, beginning April 14-15, as the Cardinal will host the Stanford Invitational.