The Bucknell Men had a busy weekend in Massachusetts, first traveling to Pittston, MA to dual Williams College on Lake Onota on Saturday, the 27th. The weather was perfect for racing with clear skies and temperatures in the low 60’s, variable cross/head winds and flat water.
The first event of the day was of the Third Varsity 8+’s, which saw the Bison 3V jump out to a commanding lead early in the first 500m where they would continue to pull away to finish with a time of 6:19.8, 22.6 seconds ahead of the Williams 3V following in 6:42.4.
The next event down the course was the Second 8+’s, in similar fashion to the 3V before them, the Bison 2V jumped out to an early 1 length lead in the first 500m. However the Williams 2V did not waiver and held the margin through the middle 1000m, then began to close in on the lead in the last 300m – but the Bucknell 2V managed to hold on for the 0.5 second victory with a time of 6:15.9 to Williams’ 6:16.4.
The Final event of the day was that of the Varsity 8+’s, the much anticipated race saw Williams move out to a ¾ length lead in the first 500m, fighting off the Bucknell Varsity’s attempts to draw even for the next 500 to take the win in 6:10.4, with the Bison Varsity 1 length away in 6:13.8.
The next stop for the Bison Men would be Worcester, MA and Lake Quinsigamond to race College of the Holy Cross. Weather conditions were similar to Saturday, with clear skies, flat water and a light 5-7mph head wind for all races.
The first race down the course was between the Bucknell 3V and the Holy Cross 3V and 1F – which saw the 2 HC boats move to a 3 seat lead over the Bucknell 3V in the first 600m. The Bison 3V did not waver and eventually pulled even at 1000m with 3 boats within 1 seat and fighting hard for the lead, with a strong 3rd 500 the Bucknell 3V moved out to a ½ Length lead on the HC 1F as the HC 3V began to fall back. The last 500 saw the Bucknell 3V hold off a strong sprint from the HC 1F to win with a final time of 6:29.3 with the HC 1F and 3V following in 6:30.9 and 6:36.4, respectively.
The next event contested was the 2V, this race featured tough racing by both boats in the first 1000m, with the Bucknell 2V fighting hard to stay near the lead before the Holy Cross 2V was able to ease away for the win in 6:27.2, with the Bucknell 2V trailing in 6:32.7.
The final race of the weekend was between the Varsity 8+’s, which again saw fierce competition in the first 1000m before HC was able to move away to win with a final time of 6:17.1 with the Bison Varsity trailing in 6:24.2.
The Bucknell Men will have next weekend off while they prepare for the challenging double-regatta weekend of the Dad Vail, held on the Schuylkill River May 10-11 in Philadelphia, PA and the ECAC on Lake Quinsigamond Championship on Sunday, May 12th held in Worcester, MA.