Tiger Rowing Claims Wilkins Trophy at George Washington Invitational

April 7, 2007

Washington, DC – The Clemson rowing team took home the Howard Wilkins Trophy on Saturday at the George Washington Invitational. The trophy was given to the Tigers by virtue of Clemson being the women’s overall point winner.

The Tigers claimed victories in seven of eight races on Saturday, including sweeps in a pair of races by the varsity 8+, second varsity 8+, and varsity 4+. In the varsity 8+, Clemson first faced Iowa in the morning session. The Tigers posted a time of 6:23.5, better than the Hawkeyes’ time of 6:28.5. In the afternoon, Clemson crossed the finish line in 6:19.8 and defeated a respected Navy crew. Navy’s varsity 8+ received votes this week for the top 20 of the US Rowing/CRCA coaches’ poll.

The second varsity 8+ began their day by facing Iowa and Delaware. The Tigers won the race with a time of 6:35, while Iowa crossed the finish line in 6:41.1 and Delaware came through at 7:12.1. The Tigers again took care of the Hawkeyes in the afternoon in the second varsity 8+, posting a time of 6:40. Navy raced as well in that one, finishing third.

In the varsity 4+, Clemson took care of Navy and George Washington in the morning session. The Tigers’ time was 7:22.2 and was just enough to squeak by Navy who had a time of 7:22.5. The host Colonials finished well back in the first race of the day for the 4+ crews. In the afternoon, Clemson crossed the finish line in 7:24.2 and defeated Navy’s B crew (7:30.3) and Georgetown (7:43.9).

The novice 8+ split a pair of races on Saturday. In the morning, Clemson defeated Iowa in a tight race. The Tigers’ time was 6:33.3, one second better than the Hawkeyes’ crew. Clemson was nine seconds back of Navy’s top boat in the novice 8+ afternoon race.

The Tigers will rest next weekend before playing host to the ACC Championships for the third straight spring. The conference regatta is set for 9:00 AM on April 21 at Lake Hartwell.