Gonzaga University
Fawley Cup
Zags Dominate Washington State To Claim Fawley Cup
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Crew
April 18, 2009
MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University men's rowing squad captured its 19th Fawley Cup in 20 years as it swept Washington State University in all seven races on Saturday morning at the 2,000-meter course on Silver Lake in Medical Lake, Wash.
"I was extremely impressed with how all our boats today," said head coach Dan Gehn. "I especially was impressed with the athletes that jumped into the 4's. We haven't raced much 4's this spring but they did great."
The Bulldogs won the Varsity 8+ race to secure the Fawley Cup. Gonzaga handedly defeated Washington State, leading from the start and extended its margin of victory to 18 seconds. The Zags crossed the finish line at 6:01.01, while the Cougars were clocked at 6:19.42.
Gonzaga's Freshman 8+ set the tone from the start, winning the tightest race of the morning by less than a second. The Bulldogs, focused and determined, held off the Cougars push over the final 500-meters to win with a time of 6:09.31. WSU finished at 6:10.02.
In the Zags final race before the morning break was the Junior Varsity 8+ in which they won by the largest margin of victory in an 8+ race. Gonzaga, racing on calm water under a perfect sunny day, defeated Washington State by 33 seconds at 6:14.34. The Cougars crossed the finish line at 6:46.55.
The Bulldogs swept the 8+ boat races when they earned a nine second win over the Cougars in the Second Freshman 8+. Gonzaga was timed at 6:25.51, while Washington State had a time of 6:34.78.
Gonzaga won all three 4+ races by an average of 19 seconds. The closest 4+ race of the morning was the Varsity 4+. The Cougars held close to the Zags but with about 500-meters left, Gonzaga turned on the jets and finished six seconds ahead of WSU with a time of 6:45.24. Washington State had a time of 6:51.61.
"Overall this was a great tune-up for the WIRA's in two weeks," explained Gehn. "We are really looking forward to Sacramento."
The WIRA Championships are set for May 2-3 at Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif.
Fawley Cup - Gonzaga vs. Washington State
Sliver Lake, Medical Lake, Wash. - 2,000 meters
Varsity 8+
Gonzaga 6:01.01, Washington State 6:19.42
Junior Varsity 8+
Gonzaga 6:14.34, Washington State 6:47.55
Freshman 8+
Gonzaga 6:09.31, Washington State 6:10.02
Second Freshman 8+
Gonzaga 6:25.51, Washington State 6:34.78
Varsity 4+
Gonzaga 6:45.24, Washington State 6:51.61
Second Varsity 4+
Gonzaga 7:10.20, Washington State 7:30.40
Freshman 4+
Gonzaga 6:54.20, Washington State 'A' 7:28.40, Washington State 'B' 7:55.70
