Tech Heavyweight Men Top Holy Cross, Fall to Columbia

April 5, 2008

PELHAM, N.Y. - The MIT heavyweight men traveled to New York last weekend to face Columbia University and Holy Cross in the annual race for the Alumni Cup. Columbia won the early-season regatta while securing a victory in the varsity eight for the third consecutive year.

On a beautiful but blustery day, the Engineers continued their 2008 spring campaign with a strong showing against EARC league competitors Columbia and Holy Cross. MIT's varsity boat finished behind Columbia but enjoyed a good battle with Holy Cross before putting the Crusaders away in the last 1000 meters.

The varsity eight broke the tape with a time of 6:14.5 as Holy Cross closed in 6:16.4. Tech finished 13 seconds behind Columbia.

MIT's freshman boat had a strong race against Columbia as both boats moved decisively away from Holy Cross. However, the Engineers came up two seconds short, finishing in a time of 6:18.4. Columbia crossed the line in 6:16.5 to snag the win, while Holy Cross rounded out the race in 6:25.9.

Tech defends their Donahue Cup title next weekend, squaring off against Williams, WPI and Connecticut College.

Complete results are available at www.Row2k.com.

Varsity Eight
C - Steve Young
8 - Luke Urban
7 - Rane Nolan
6 - Tom Larsen
5 - James Stenard
4 - David Jenicek
3 - Alessandro Chiesa
2 - David Stein
1 - Sam McVeety

Freshman Eight
C - Christine Choi
8 - Owen Mays
7 - Michael Grinich
6 - Peter Lamb
5 - Lucas Goodman
4 - Dan Ainge
3 - Matt Pegler
2 - Keldin Sergheyev
1 - Tobe Nwanna