Aug. 4, 2005

Worcester, Mass. - What was supposed to be the crowning moment for the men's rowing team turned into a nightmare as Mother Nature inflicted its worst on the 50-plus schools in attendance at the ECAC National Invitational held May 7 and 8 at Worcester, Massachusetts. The spring had already inflicted much damage on the Lakers, who only had two competitions prior to the event.

On Saturday, 30-mile-an-hour winds gusting to 40 caused an eight to tip into the forty degree water. Three rowers were treated for hypothermia. That put an early end to the day's racing which left Sunday's program to be modified. Sunday arrived and the rain stopped, but the wind kept up its presence as delay after delay occurred. Slowly racing started to be cancelled, including the Lakers two, four-man boats.

That left the eight's as the sole representatives. The women's eight could only manage 6th in its semifinal and did not make the final. The men's light eight, seeded #2, came out flying against perennial favorite Boston College. After a very fast start, BC slowly pulled away from the Lakers to an open water advantage that never looked in threat. BC continued to drive for the line knowing that conditions were favorable for a new course record. The Eagles did exactly that, breaking it by over 2 seconds. The Lakers came in 9 seconds behind BC and 10 seconds ahead of Holy Cross.

"I am pleased that the lightweight eight rowed well and earned a silver medal, but I am also very disappointed for the Men's Four", said head coach Adrian Spracklen. "They were unbeaten during their previous two races and were one of the favorites to win the event. These guys had focused on this event since the first day of school. They had done everything they could have possibly done to be ready for this and the opportunity was snatched away from them. I was pretty confident that they would have won the first ever gold at this event for the men's team, but that is little consolation now." With all the cancellations and disappointed athletes, Mother Nature came away the real winner.