First Varsity 8 Falls to USC, Cal on Day One of Windermere Crew Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
March 29, 2003
Columbus, OH – The Ohio State rowing team kicked off its spring season with a pair of dual meets at the Windermere Crew Classic, Saturday, in Redwood Shores, Calif. The team took on Southern California in the morning session and California in the afternoon, scoring just one victory in six races.
The lone highlight of the day came in the form of the first victory of the season for the first varsity 4, which defeated USC, finishing in seven minutes, 28.84 seconds. The team finished nearly 20 seconds ahead of USC (7:48.46), powered by an outstanding final 500 meters..
The defending Big Ten champion Buckeye first varsity 8 went winless on the day, falling to both USC and California. In the morning heat vs. Southern California, Ohio State fell behind early, sitting over five seconds behind the Trojans after the first 500 meters. Despite staying close for the remainder of the race, the Buckeyes were unable to close the gap, finishing in 6:30.52, behind USC (6:25.41).
In the first 8’s second race, the boat hung tight with California for the first 500 meters, sitting just 1.15 seconds behind after the first quarter of the race, but were outrun by the Golden Bears for the remaining 1500, finishing in 6:57.05, behind Cal (6:51.12).
The Buckeye second varsity 8 also fell to both USC and California in respective races. The second 8 was edged by USC in the morning, despite matching the Trojan’s speed over the final 1500 meters. The Buckeyes finished in 6:53.63 to USC’s 6:50.28. In the afternoon, the OSU second 8 was defeated by Cal by a seven second margin.
In the second race of the day for the first varsity 4, the boat fell to California, finishing in 8:15.32.
“Today was a difficult way to start the year,” Andy Teitelbaum, Ohio State head coach, said. “Some of our problems were due to lack of water time and some of it was just that we were not doing the things we need to be doing on the water. You have to give a lot of credit to USC and Cal. They’re racing very well right now from top to bottom. We’re going to have to adjust and move forward. We have a big day of racing tomorrow vs. Stanford and that’s what we have to focus on.” Ohio State will conclude competition at the Windermere Crew Classic tomorrow morning with a trio of races vs. Stanford. The Buckeyes and Cardinal first varsity 4 boats will kick off day two of the Classic at 8:30 a.m. PST.
Windermere Crew Classic, Day 1 Results Ohio State vs. Southern California First Varsity 8 USC 6:25.41 Ohio State 6:30.52
Second Varsity 8 USC 6:50.28 Ohio State 6:53.63
First Varsity 4 Ohio State 7:28.84 USC 7:48.46
Ohio State vs. California First Varsity 8 California 6:51.12 Ohio State 6:57.05
Second Varsity 8 California 7:07.83 Ohio State 7:18.17
First Varsity 4 California 7:56.86 Ohio State 8:15.32
