ACRA 2024
This year Beach Crew was able to participate in the American Collegiate Rowing Association’s National Championship Regatta, also known as ACRA. We had two boats, a men’s varsity 4+ and a men’s novice 4+, in which our top rowers competed in.
The first race was a time trial. This 2k meter time trial placed all the boats in their heats for the rest of the championship. Our men’s varsity 4+ placed fourteenth out of thirty-two other boats with a time of 6:21.1. Not making the top eight of the time trail, the crew raced in the repechage for another chancee to make semifinals. The competition in repechage included: George Washington University, Ohio State University, University of Connecticut, Clemson University and Middlebury College. Our men’s varsity 4+ had a good start and kept up right behind the the leading boats. Our crew moved up into the third place position and sustaining a strong position. With a time of 7:13.2 and only 6 seconds behind first and second place, they finished third and made it into the semifinals.
The next day our men’s varsity 4+ competed in their semifinal. They raced against five other boats including, Seattle University, Wichita State University, Bucknell University, University of California Santa Barbara and University of Oregon. In this race it all came down to the wire at the finish line. Three boats including us, had a close photo finish. Each bow ball was within inches of each other. Even with the close call we finished third with a time of 7:15.8, making it into the C Final.
On the last day, the men’s varsity 4+ finished sixth out of six boats in the C Final with a time of 7:13.3. They were up against Seattle University, University of Chicago, Wichita State University, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Connecticut. They had a slow start, but kept calm and smooth. Staying close behind all the boats throughout the race, they battled University Of Connecticut for fifth place at the finish line, but were out rowed. Overall, Beach Crew’s Men’s Varsity 4+ were eighteenth in the nation out of thirty-two boats. Our varsity team showed increased improvement in smaller boats and were able to improve their times from WIRA.
Beach Crew’s Men’s Novice 4+ placed fourth out of thirty-three boats with a time of 6:13.6 in the time trials which meant they did not have to compete in a repechage and went straight into the semifinals the next day. In the semifinal race they raced against Washington State University, Florida State University Purdue University, University of Vermont and University of Illinois. Our men’s novice 4+ stayed in the front of the pack the whole 2k meters with smooth and synchronized rowing. They finished second with a time of 7:26.5, only four seconds behind Washington State University. When asked on how they felt after getting second place in the semifinals, stroke seat and novice rower Sean Panting stated, "Getting second in the semi’s validated what we had been working towards and it was a fun race, with Florida giving us that push to prove ourselves.” Florida State University finished close behind our boat in third place. Winning second in the semifinals pushed our men’s novice 4+ into the grand final for the last day of the championships.
The novice 4+ grand final race included five other boats; University of Texas, Vanderbilt University, Middlebury College, Washington State University and Virginia Rowing Association. At the beginning of the race we were in last place, but steadily came up on Virginia. Near the end of the course Beach Crew’s Novice 4+ made a move on Virginia and beat them by three seconds at the finish line. After the race Panting stated, “We were all exhausted and all proud of ourselves for even getting there in the first place. We all started a year before, out of shape, so we couldn’t be happier. We were given the opportunity to go to ACRA and after all of it, it just made me more hungry to compete next season.” Earning fifth in the nation out of thirty-three boats with a time of 7:13.6 in the grand final was a substantial accomplishment for our novices. Their potential for the next race season has been raised and according to our rowers, they are ready for more. This season has shown how teamwork, dedication and commitment can truly pay off in the end. Beach Crew will still be training this summer in preparation for the fall season. Go Beach!
First Photo: Our Men's Novice 4+ look at the results of their race with Head Coach Scott Erwin.
Second Photo: Our Men's Varsity 4+, Jacob Hunter in stroke seat, Andres Boppell in three seat, Alejandro Juarez in two seat, Gillan Corvera in bow seat and Riley Hobbs as coxswain.
Third Photo: Our Men's Novice 4+, Sean Panting in stroke seat, Vaughn Popp in three seat, Cooper Wilhelm in two seat, Alexis Larios in bow seat and Alexandra Pestolis as coxswain.