Lakers Win National Championship
The Grand Valley Rowing Team captured the National Championship this past weekend by winning the overall team point’s trophy at the inaugural American Collegiate Rowing Association Regatta in Oklahoma City. With four of five boats medaling at the event, the Lakers made quite an impressive showing against some of the top club teams from across America.
Coach John Bancheri was very excited with the results and said of the races, “this event is a culmination of nine months of hard work by all of our athletes and coaches. The support system from the university, student senate, alumni, and parents made available the tools to have the most successful season of Grand Valley history. Winning the team point’s trophy at this national event was a fantastic honor for our club and university. Every athlete and every boat in our program contributed to our success and we are thrilled with the results of this year.”
In the 7-boat straight final of the Men’s Lightweight 4+, a collision between Michigan and Washington University in the first few strokes forced a restart. In the new race, all boats were nearly even at the 500-meter mark. But that’s when Grand Valley made their move, walking on the field and gaining an open water lead by the halfway point. The Lakers held the top spot for the rest of the race, crossing the finish line five seconds ahead of second place Washington University to capture Grand Valley’s first individual national championship.
After an undefeated season and a Dad Vail victory, the Women’s Novice 8+ decided to up their level and row in the junior varsity race. A lack of entered crews, however, combined events and they found themselves facing novice, JV, and lightweight opponents. But yet again, no one could match the Lakers as they sailed through the finish line five seconds ahead of their competition with a time of 7.33.422. As the women accepted their national championship gold medals, they were presented with awards for winning both the novice and JV/lightweight events.
In the Men’s Varsity Pair final, Pittsburg and Oklahoma took off to an early lead. Grand Valley was in a fight for third for the first 1000 meters, but broke away from the pack, gaining on the leaders with every stroke. With about 750 left to go, the Lakers made their move, walking through Oklahoma into the second place spot. They continued to open up water until the finish line where they claimed silver medals.
In the Men’s Varsity 8+ Grand Final, the Lakers were given another chance against season rivals University of Michigan and Dad Vail champions Purdue University. A little over halfway through the race, the top three crews- Michigan, Purdue, and Grand Valley- had distinguished themselves from the pack. But the Wolverines were too much to overcome as they crossed the finish line first with a time of 6.26.066. In the fight for second, an amazing final sprint by the Lakers fell just short of catching the Boilermakers (6.33.791). Coming in at a time of 6.35.777, the Lakers captured an impressive third place finish against some high-caliber competition.
Though earning the top seed, nothing seemed to go right for the Women’s Varsity 8+ in the Grand Final. Right off the start, their boat was pushed into shore and to a dead stop. Not giving up, the Lakers shoved off the rocks and surged forward, quickly walking on the other crews into first place. But 1000 meters in they ran into another obstacle- literally. Just avoiding a full-speed crash with a bridge embankment, the Lakers shoved off and started up yet again in an all-out sprint to the finish. Now realizing their missing rudder, Grand Valley kept fighting, catching the pack but falling just a second short of a bronze medal. Ohio State won the event. Though a disappointing finish, their determination against the odds showed just how strong of a crew they are.
For many of the athletes, ACRA was their last race of the season. However, some will continue on to represent Grand Valley in England this coming June. “We are being given the opportunity to compete at the Royal Henley Regatta at Henley-on-the-Thames,” said Coach Bancheri. “We know that our men’s and women’s eights will continue to increase their boat speed in the coming weeks and will represent Grand Valley State at a very high level at this world class event. Following this year we look forward for greater things to come.”
