After bravely navigating the winding, treacherous paths on the route from Virginia to Tennessee, the team arrived at Melton Hill Lake eager to take on the competition.
Racing kicked off on Saturday with the novice men’s four event. Going up against a strong field of opposing crews, our guys were edged out and placed fourth in the heat, despite finishing with a time that would have qualified them for the semi-final in another heat. The novice men remain eager for their next race and challenge.
The novice women raced shortly thereafter and placed third in the heat, easily qualifying to advance to the semi-finals.
Up next was the varsity women’s four– they won their heat and also advanced to semis.
That afternoon, the women’s novice eight raced against tough schools and just barely missed qualifying for the Grand final, moving on to the Petite final instead.
The men’s lightweight four’s first race was not too long after; the men represented Tribe well, placing first.
The final race of the day was the varsity women’s semi-final; placing second, they moved on to the next day’s finals.
After the beautiful weather of Saturday, Sunday was decidedly colder and wetter. Nonetheless, the team perservered despite the rain!
The varsity men’s lightweight four started off the morning with their Grand Final in which they placed fourth against a fierce field of competition. While disappointed with the results, the men are unbowed and have already set their sights on Dad Vail.
Immediately after the men’s event, the varsity women raced, placing sixth in the Grand Final against all varsity crews. Like the men, the women are eager to race again and are looking forward to the Philadelphia regatta.
The novice women wrapped up the day for WMRC by winning their Petite Final! Way to go ladies– way to represent the Tribe!
All in all, it was a great weekend of rowing, with WMRC once again proving that it doesn’t take size or school support to be a contender in serious races. GO TRIBE.