GVSU finishes runner-up in Jesus College Spare Pair race
Though the actual Henley Royal Regatta does not begin until Wednesday, two GVSU rowers saw action this morning in the Jesus College Men’s Spare Pair event. Despite a bow-to-stern victory over Goldie Boat Club’s B boat in the semifinals, GVSU’s entry succumbed to Goldie’s A boat in the grand final.
A comparatively informal event, the Spare Pair race is held by Jesus College as a means for spare rowers of clubs competing in the regatta proper to still row during the regatta week. With only four pairs entered, including two boats from the Goldie Boat Club of Cambridge and one entry from St. Joseph’s Prep of the USA, only three races would be necessary, two semifinals and a grand final. Dan Schoolcraft ’10 and Marty Reed ’12, in bow and stroke respectively, began the first 1500 meter race against Goldie ‘B’ at around 10:00 a.m. local time. Goldie were in front off the start as GVSU quickly corrected its point, and for much of the race Goldie and GVSU were bow to stern with Goldie in front. At about the enclosures, Goldie began faltering, and GVSU’s pair moved to take advantage, edging ever closer as both crews began to increase the stroke rate. With approximately 200 meters to go, GVSU finally pulled ahead as Goldie drifted into the Bucks lane, with GVSU finishing with Goldie ‘B’ nearly directly off its stern.
A brief cool-down period ensued as the GVSU pair rowed back to the start; in the interim Goldie ‘A’ defeated St. Joseph’s Prep with open water. A little more than a half-hour later, both boats were aligning once again at the Barricade. However, this time Goldie ‘A’ jumped in front off the start and stayed there, increasing the distances between the two crews no matter how hard or how high GVSU attempted to row; Goldie finished about three boat lengths ahead.
This was Schoolcraft’s final race, finishing out a competitive rowing career of seven years, including four full years at Grand Valley. Reed, after finishing his second full year with GVSU, will be joining the team once again in the fall.
Both the Men’s Varsity 8+ and Men’s Varsity 4+ compete tomorrow in the first races of their respective cups; the four will be first, at 2:20 p.m. against Goldie Boat Club ‘A’, and the eight will follow against the University of Durham ‘B’ at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow night.
