The Wildcat Navy faced tremendous competition Saturday, April 8, at the 2017 Cincinnati Invitational Regatta. The highly competitive race, hosted by Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club (CJRC), assembled many nationally respected crews reaching as far as Texas.

Saint Ignatius entered crews in all available eights and fours events, giving some rowers as many as four 2,000-meter races at the first regatta of the year. The Cincinnati Invite, becoming known as one of the signature races of the early season, yielded stiff competition all day long.

Racing kicked off with a bang as the varsity eight competed in the very first time trial of the day, where the previously untried Wildcats placed fifth in their heat, about 5.5 seconds behind rival St. Edward. Most other Ignatius crews advanced to finals, however, and the additional races often led to improvements in performance. In particular, a bronze medal from the freshman four showcased the novice squad’s heart.

The second varsity eight rebounded from some struggles in earlier races to claim a solid fourth in their final. Additionally, the lightweights battled closely in two fours, finishing within a second of each other, before joining forces in the eight and racing quite well, having never practiced together before.

So while the team endured some challenging races, it is far from discouraging.

Immediately following the regatta, Head Coach Pat Connor ‘94 addressed the Wildcat Navy, saying the team now knows where it stands and what work it has to do. A five-and-a-half second deficit doesn’t simply close on its own; therefore, the team will be testing again on the rowing machine, with two 2k tests to be taken as soon as Monday.

Saint Ignatius crew will race next at the Dillon Lake Scholastic Sprints in Zanesville on April 22. You can follow the team on Twitter or Instagram @sihsrowing.