May 28, 2011

MADISON, Wis. –- The Wisconsin men’s rowing program raced for the last time before the 2011 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships and defeated Penn and Drexel on the Schuykill River in Philadelphia. Racing took place on Saturday afternoon.

The Badgers captured wins with its varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four, open four and freshmen eight boats. The Badgers raced two boats in both the varsity four and open four races, taking the top two spots in both.  

“Of the three eights that we had, the second varsity showed the most top speed and quickness and moved out well,” said Head Coach Chris Clark. “So they controlled their race.

“The freshman and varsity eights both looked pretty sluggish and rowed pretty low cadences - maybe three and half beats slower than at the Sprints. That is perfectly fine at this point of the season in a dual race, but that is not going to work in the championships, so we’ve got to kick back up again.”

Next up for the Badgers are the national championships, which run Thursday through Saturday on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

“Very hot here for us, in the high 80s,” said Clark. “It may come close to 100 degrees on Tuesday, not something we are used to. Once we acclimate to the temperature, we’ll be a little better off. On we go to the national championships, beginning on Thursday.”

Pennsylvania/Drexel
Schuykill River
Philadelphia
2000 meters
May 28, 2011

Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 5:50.1; 2. Penn, 5:56.2

Second Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 6:00.5; 2. Penn, 6:08.8

Varsity Four
1. Wisconsin A, 6:40.5; 2. Wisconsin B, 6:42.0; 3. Drexel, 6:50.0; 4. Penn, 6:55.2

Open Four
1. Wisconsin A, 6:43.7; 2. Wisconsin, 6:46.1; 3. Drexel, 7:02.3; 4. Penn, 7:07.6

Freshman Eight
1. Wisconsin, 6:04.4; 2. Penn, 6:12.5