MALDEN - The Tufts University women's varsity eight evened its record at 3-3 with a convincing wire-to-wire victory over Middlebury College Saturday morning.
Racing under brilliant sunshine amidst a windswept headwind, the Jumbos found the conditions less of a hindrance than the Panthers en route to a 36.3-second victory. The consistent 15-knot winds slowed the races down by almost a minute, as the Jumbos covered the Malden River course in 7:10.64, over a minute slower than all three races last weekend. But the Tufts crew was up to the task, and handled the conditions superbly, as their counterparts clearly struggled.
Tufts' novice eight, rowing together for the first time, put in a solid performance, crossing the line 44.7-seconds ahead of Middlebury. The youthful Jumbos slogged through the headwind to a time of 8:30.89 to the Panthers' 9:05.66.
In other action, the Tufts 2nd varsity, with multiple substitutions from the 3rd varsity eight, had a tough go in the conditions, and fell to a Middlebury crew that handled the conditions with more aplomb. The Panthers worked out to an early lead and never looked back before cruising to a 14.3-second margin. Middlebury crossed the line in 8:06.15 with Tufts trailing in 8:30.47.
The day began with the dedication of a new varsity women's eight oared shell, named the "Gary R. Caldwell." Caldwell, the outgoing Director of Rowing, is retiring after 26 years as the head of the Tufts rowing program. He was joined by his wife Janet Silva, who retired last year after a 36-year career in Tufts' sports medicine department. The couple ceremoniously poured champagne over the shell prior to launching for its first race today.
At the conclusion of the race program all of the program's seniors were recognized and honored for their contributions.
A big test looms tomorrow in Worcester, where the NCAA DIII 7th-ranked Jumbo varsity faces #10 WPI, #15 William Smith, Skidmore, and Clark, in the 14th annual Bernard Brown Cup Regatta. The Jumbos took home the Cup last year and lead the series 8-5. Racing on Lake Quinsigamond begins at 10:00 am. After that, all crews are off next weekend and then return to Worcester for the New England Rowing Championships on April 30.
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