By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University won all three contested races against Lewis & Clark College, as the Bearcats hosted the Head of the Willamette Regatta on Saturday, Oct. 4. WU won the women's varsity 8+, women's varsity 4+ and men's varsity 4+ races.

Each event covered approximately 4,000 meters upstream. Teams raced head style, with one boat competing at a time against the clock, allowing each crew to select its own course against the Willamette River current.

The WU women's varsity 8+ completed its race in 13:02 to win by 2:32. Lewis & Clark finished in 15:34.

Willamette's top crew in the women's varsity 4+ was victorious in 16:25. The top crew for the Pioneers was second at 16:55. WU's second crew finished in 17:46 and the second L&C crew ended the race in 18:53.

In the men's varsity 4+, Willamette crews claimed the top two times at 13:44 and 13:49. L&C was third at 14:22.

Several races did not involve direct competition between the Bearcats and the Pioneers. All three teams in the women's novice 8+ were from Willamette, with the "Cardinal" team winning in 16:54. The women's 2x was a one-crew race, as L&C finished in 21:15.

The men's pair also involved only L&C, as two crews competed, with the top pair earning a time of 17:19. Willamette rowed uncontested in the men's 8+, which featured even line-ups mixed between varsity and novice competitors. The "Gold" crew won in 13:39.

Willamette will compete again on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Mass. Last year, the women's varsity 4+ from Willamette finished in fifth place in a field of 32 boats.

Head of the Willamette Regatta
Results from Saturday, Oct. 4

Women's Varsity 8+
Willamette, 13:02
Lewis & Clark, 15:34

Women's Varsity 4+
Willamette, 16:26
Lewis & Clark, 16:55
Willamette, 17:46
Lewis & Clark, 18:53

Women's Novice 8+
(even line-ups, rowing by 6's)
Willamette "Cardinal", 16:54
Willamette "Bearcats", 17:53
Willamette "Gold", 19:16

Women's 2x
(uncontested)
Lewis & Clark, 21:15

Men's Varsity 4+
Willamette, 13:44
Willamette, 13:49
Lewis & Clark, 14:22

Men's 8+
(even line-ups, varsity and novice mixed)
Willamette "Gold", 13:39
Willamette "Cardinal", 13:57

Men's Pair
Lewis & Clark, 17:19
Lewis & Clark, 19:53

Conditions:
Approx 4000 meters, racing upstream against the current of 11.2 kcfs,
and an increasing head wind as the morning moved on ranging from 13-18 mph WSW.