Blue Hens Dominate ACRA Championships

During finals week, many of the UDMC clan drove down to Lake Lanier in Gainesville, GA to take on some of the best that the collegiate rowing world has to offer.

Starting off Friday, James Poll represented UDMC in the Men’s 1x Time trial, coming in 5^th and moving straight to the semifinal. In the Varsity 8+ heat, Delaware won with a time of 6:14.944 to reach the semifinals on Saturday. That was the 3rd fastest time of the day, just a second off Purdue with a 6:11.305 and Michigan with a 6:13.7. Later that afternoon, Delaware’s 2x of came second in the heats, also reaching the semis on Saturday. UDMC’s novice 4+ won their heat as well, moving straight to the semis. In the Varsity 4+ Delaware came 3^rd, and in the pair Delaware placed 2^nd, going straight to the A-Final.

In heats for the 2^nd Varsity 8+ on Saturday, Delaware edged Bucknell to come second, just 1.3 seconds off Michigan to reach the A final. Delaware’s Varsity 4+ also won the reps to book their spot in the A-Final. James Poll came ripping down the course later that day, also punching his ticket to the A-Final behind our friend, Mark Couwenhoven. In the Varsity 8+, Delaware also won the semifinals. Delaware placed 4^th in the Men 2x Semifinal, snagging their spot to the A-Final. Delaware’s Novice 4+ came 3^rd in their semi, moving onto the final on Sunday.

Early in the morning on Sunday, Delaware placed 7^th in the A-final of the Men’s 2-. James Poll came 4^th in the Men’s 1x. A special congratulations to Mark Couwenhoven for winning the event! In the Double (Men’s 2x), Delaware placed 4^th. In the Varsity 4+ event, Delaware rounded out the A-Final with an 8^th placed finish. Later in the morning, Delaware’s Novice 4+ won their event, edging out Michigan by .034 seconds in an absolute nail biter of a race. Delaware’s 2^nd Varsity 8+ beat out Notre Dame, also winning their event. In the last race of the day we all watched as Delaware beat Michigan in the Varsity 8+ event by a little under a second to become National champions.

We are so proud of all our oarsmen! All boats made it to their respective A-Finals! An even bigger congratulations go out to our national champions in the Novice 4+, the 2^nd Varsity 8+ and the first Varsity 8+! This is the first time in the club’s history that Delaware has won the varsity 8 and we intend to come back next year and defend our title. Roll Hens!