UST Crew Team invited to second-largest regatta in the world

UST Crew Team invited to second-largest regatta in the world

The University of St Thomas Crew Team will send 23 of its top rowers to compete Oct. 20 and 21 at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston.

The regatta is the second-largest rowing competition in the world with more than 7,500 athletes from around the globe competing in 55 different race events. The two-day competition attracts up to 300,000 spectators.

Both the men and women will compete in the Collegiate Eight event while the men also will race in Collegiate Four. This is the largest contingent that St. Thomas ever has sent to the nation's premiere fall regatta.

Last year, the men's team finished in 22nd place out of 58 universities and earned a guaranteed spot in this year's event. It was a full 15 seconds ahead of the in-town rival University of Minnesota. The women are aiming high to improve on their 44th-place finish from last year. With 20 women competing for eight slots, the expectations for the boat are high.

As part of its training, the UST Crew will compete in the "Death Row" regatta Sunday, Sept. 23, in Duluth. The race is 18 miles long, starting in Superior Bay and finishing in the St. Louis River.