Wildcats top dog at Laddie Cup, final tune-up before Midwest Championship
COACH WALTERS: For several years now, Saint Ignatius Crew has made the Laddie Cup at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Michigan) the last race of the regular season. With most rowers competing in multiple categories and races, the regatta serves as a good final day of racing preparation before the Midwest Championship.
The Wildcats did what they had to do in the 8s, winning the Varsity 8, 2nd Varsity 8, Lightweight 8, Freshman 8, plus the Lightweight 4, en route to claiming both the men’s points and overall team points trophies.
Saint Ignatius crews also secured silver medals in the 2nd Varsity 8, Junior 8, Varsity 4, Junior 4, and Novice 4, as well as bronze medals in the Varsity 4 and Novice Lightweight 4.
This was the third consecutive year Saint Ignatius won the men’s points trophy, with 215 points, which also happened to be good enough for the overall trophy (combined men’s and women’s teams) by a slim margin of 3. Saint Ignatius last took home both trophies in 2014.
Overcast skies and some quartering headwinds throughout the morning gave way to some sunshine and slightly calmer waters in the afternoon. The better weather arrived at about the same time as legendary Jesuit Fr. Frank Canfield, S.J., who currently lives at the Columbiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan, and came to see the Wildcats race in the shell that bears his name.
With positive results from Saturday’s racing, Head Coach Pat Connor’s Wildcat Navy turns its attention to next weekend’s Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship, set for Zanesville’s Lake Dillon.
The team has raced most of the top contenders so far this season, including New Trier, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, and St. Edward, so they are prepared for some fierce competitions next weekend.
This year’s regatta perhaps suggests that the Midwest is really open for business. New Trier has proven to be lightning quick this spring, as three consecutive national championships in the Freshman 8 category bear fruit. St. Edward’s champion Junior 8 from 2015 now looks to make its mark in the Varsity 8. Jay Hammond’s Central Catholic is perpetually strong in the 8s. Loyola Academy and Upper Arlington will also contend.
So where does that pit Saint Ignatius crews? Right in the mix. The team has seen serious gains in speed throughout the last few weeks and the results have proven that the team has both the skill and depth to hang with the best in the region. Wildcat crews have a long history of success at the Midwest Championship and this year’s team is absolutely prepared to keep that lineage going and earn the right to race for a national championship.
It’s crunch time for Saint Ignatius Crew. LET’S GO CATS
COACH WALTERS: For several years now, Saint Ignatius Crew has made the Laddie Cup at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Michigan) the last race of the regular season. With most rowers competing in multiple categories and races, the regatta serves as a good final day of racing preparation before the Midwest Championship.
The Wildcats did what they had to do in the 8s, winning the Varsity 8, 2nd Varsity 8, Lightweight 8, Freshman 8, plus the Lightweight 4, en route to claiming both the men’s points and overall team points trophies.
Saint Ignatius crews also secured silver medals in the 2nd Varsity 8, Junior 8, Varsity 4, Junior 4, and Novice 4, as well as bronze medals in the Varsity 4 and Novice Lightweight 4.
This was the third consecutive year Saint Ignatius won the men’s points trophy, with 215 points, which also happened to be good enough for the overall trophy (combined men’s and women’s teams) by a slim margin of 3. Saint Ignatius last took home both trophies in 2014.
Overcast skies and some quartering headwinds throughout the morning gave way to some sunshine and slightly calmer waters in the afternoon. The better weather arrived at about the same time as legendary Jesuit Fr. Frank Canfield, S.J., who currently lives at the Columbiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan, and came to see the Wildcats race in the shell that bears his name.
With positive results from Saturday’s racing, Head Coach Pat Connor’s Wildcat Navy turns its attention to next weekend’s Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship, set for Zanesville’s Lake Dillon.
The team has raced most of the top contenders so far this season, including New Trier, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, and St. Edward, so they are prepared for some fierce competitions next weekend.
This year’s regatta perhaps suggests that the Midwest is really open for business. New Trier has proven to be lightning quick this spring, as three consecutive national championships in the Freshman 8 category bear fruit. St. Edward’s champion Junior 8 from 2015 now looks to make its mark in the Varsity 8. Jay Hammond’s Central Catholic is perpetually strong in the 8s. Loyola Academy and Upper Arlington will also contend.
So where does that pit Saint Ignatius crews? Right in the mix. The team has seen serious gains in speed throughout the last few weeks and the results have proven that the team has both the skill and depth to hang with the best in the region. Wildcat crews have a long history of success at the Midwest Championship and this year’s team is absolutely prepared to keep that lineage going and earn the right to race for a national championship.
It’s crunch time for Saint Ignatius Crew. LET’S GO CATS