Syracuse competes in Pac-12 Challenge in California against 3 ranked programs

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To begin the spring season, No. 4 Syracuse men’s rowing competed in the Pac-12 Challenge in Redwood Shores, California, with three other top 15 programs over the weekend. On Saturday, SU enjoyed an undefeated day, topping No. 12 Wisconsin and No. 6 Northeastern in all four races. On day two, Syracuse came up seconds behind No. 1 California in both races.

In the fall, the Orange raced both Northeastern and Wisconsin in the Head of the Charles regatta, which SU won on the Charles River. Entering Saturday, both the Badgers and the Huskies had raced this spring, but it was SU’s first of the season.

On Saturday, SU swept the competition. In the first set of the races, the Orange varsity 8 placed ahead of the Badgers with a time of 5:42.4, just seconds ahead of Wisconsin which finished at 5:46.6.

Later on Saturday morning, in the second varsity 8 race, Syracuse defeated Wisconsin in the 2,000 meter course, finishing in 5:47.4 to Wisconsin’s 5:59.3.

During afternoon competition with Northeastern, SU varsity 8 won the race by just over 4 seconds, coming in at 5:33.6 to Northeastern’s 5:37.7. Syracuse’s time to beat Northeastern was the fastest among the 21 races.

SU’s second varsity 8 kept the undefeated day going with a time of 5:45.2 to best the Huskies (5:50.5). Syracuse dealt with problems early on in the day but was able to make adjustments, senior Ben Dukes said.

Entering Sunday, the Golden Bears varsity and second varsity 8 had not lost a race all season. California began its season on March 4 and have lost just two races all spring. The program won all but two events at the Las Vegas Invitational on March 4-5 and went undefeated at the San Diego Crew Classic April 1-2.

Amidst smooth water conditions and clear skies, the defending champion Golden Bears were too fast for the Orange. In the varsity 8, California (5:34.8) finished just ahead of Syracuse’s 5:40.7. The second varsity 8 race was decided by the closest margin of the weekend. California came in at 5:41.4 with Syracuse just 0.7 seconds behind at 5:42.1.

Next, Syracuse competes for the Goes Trophy as it takes on No. 17 Navy and No. 10 Cornell in Ithaca, New York on April 15.