From The Crew Cats' outstanding Assistant Coach Connor Walters '09 and Posted By Mr. Eddie Dwyer
WILDCAT NAVY SHINES AT PITTSBURGH REGATTA
Results at Head of the Ohio Regatta The Best in Head Coach Pat Connor’s Tenure
From Coach Walters
In most years, racing at the Head of the Ohio has yielded predictable results for Saint Ignatius Crew—just not enough. On Sunday, however, the team’s fortunes (not to mention disciplined work) paid off.
With victories in the Lightweight 8 and a sweep of the 2nd Varsity 8, plus a bronze in the Varsity 4 and silver in the Varsity 8, the Wildcats achieved their best overall results at the regatta since before Head Coach Pat Connor ’94 took the reigns.
Sunday kicked off racing with the boys’ Lightweight 8 event. Though Saint Ignatius lost to Westerville by two seconds two weeks ago in Cleveland, the Wildcats reversed that result, taking gold by a two-second margin.
Immediately thereafter, four Saint Ignatius 4-man shells raced the 4,300-meter course down the Allegheny River. When it was all said and done, the Wildcats placed 3rd, 4th, 6th and 10th out of a field of 17. A mere two seconds separated the 3rd and 4th place Ignatius crews, which definitely foreshadows some fierce intra-team competition going forward.
Following a couple hours of rest, the entire fleet of five eights launched around 11 a.m. for the final events of the day: the Varsity and 2nd Varsity 8s.
Saint Ignatius defeated Midwest rival Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the Varsity 8 event, with Westerville Crew claiming gold over the Wildcats and Vikings. Saint Ignatius’ 2nd Varsity 8 placed 4th in that event, topping Westerville’s 2nd crew by 3 seconds and Central’s 2nd boat by 21.
With a field of five the 2nd Varsity 8 event was smaller, but the three Wildcat boats swept the top three places, thus taking home a trifecta of medals. Each crew rowed well and, by virtue of the sweep, held Connor to his wager of pizzas with members of the boats.
The results suggest that the recent week of land workouts, plus training in 4-man boats and regular racing is paying off. At the Head of the Ohio, the squad did enough this time to pull off some great results. But these Wildcats are big dogs and they are hungry for more.
Saint Ignatius will race at host Westerville and other top Ohio crews next Saturday, October 8, at the Columbus Fall Classic on the Hoover Reservoir.
Also of note, the team’s bid to the Head of the Charles was accepted, and Saint Ignatius will be sending an eight to the prestigious Boston Regatta, held October 22-23, for the first time since 2013.
For those who are wondering, Saint Ignatius Crew operates as a club program during the fall season and is a varsity sport in the spring.
Connor Walters '09
Communications Coordinator: Mission
Assistant Coach: Varsity Rowing
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