LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego men's rowing team begins their spring season on Saturday at the San Diego City Championships in Mission Bay. The Tritons, with their young team having taken part in the San Diego Row for the Cure and Newport Autumn Rowing Festival during the fall, will now look to repeat as San Diego City Champions for the sixth consecutive year.
"We won [the San Diego City Championship] five times in a row, so we're hoping to keep that streak going," said head coach Zach Johnson about his team's winning streak at the event. "Its early, [the event] usually takes place in April...so we're not used to going this hard, this fast so early on in the season."
During their last event, in Newport Beach for the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival, UCSD men's crew placed 12th, 14th, and 21st in the open eight race. UCSD employed an even boat strategy, with coaches spreading talent between the boats, resulting in a top boat finish of 15:20.62, while the second and third boats finished in 15:28.05 and 15:57.11, respectively.
"We've got 36 athletes - four seniors, one junior - so we're young," said Johnson. "I think we've got a good team, but it'll be a year for growing. I'm looking for the guys that were there [to lead]. I've got four guys from last year's team. In particular, Jay Dee Morgan, Justin Gordon, Andrew Hilton, those are the guys that are leading."
Last season, Morgan, Gordon, and Hilton were part of the group that helped UCSD win the Cal Cup for the second time in three tears, while the varsity eight remained ranked in the top-25 by the US Rowing Collegiate National Polls throughout the seasons. The varsity and second varsity eight also earned runner-up finishes during the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. The strong season by the varsity eight earned the squad their first-ever invitation to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.
Following the San Diego City Championships on Saturday, slated for a 7 a.m. start, the Tritons will host the UC San Diego Regatta at Mission Bay on Saturday, March 6, with a scheduled start of 8 a.m.
