The Bruins opened their 2007 season on Ballona Creek Saturday morning with a dual meet win over Loyola Marymount in the Men's Varsity 8. The schools split the four races with LMU winning the Novice 4 and Varsity 4 events while UCLA claimed the Novice 8 and Varsity 8 match ups.

In the day's first race, UCLA A took the lead in the 2nd 500 meters and gradually increased their lead to win the Novice 8 in a time of 5:20.6 over LMU (5:30.8) and UCLA B (5:52.1) in a 1750 meter race due to a very low tide. "We showed good spirit and focus in being able to come from behind and have a solid finish," stroke Andrew Axley.

The Novice 4 four race saw the crews exchange the lead several times until LMU sprinted away in the last 20 strokes to win in a time of 7:08.9 just 1.9 seconds ahead of UCLA (7:10.8). LMU also won the Varsity 4 (6:18.2) over UCLA (6:33.1).

In the Varsity 8 race the Bruins took the lead early and consistently pulled away to win the Guy Lunberg Memorial Cup in a time of 6:29.9. Junior stroke Brad Stapleton, "We followed our race plan well and raced it long, low and strong into the headwind. It's a good start to the year."

"It is always nice to come away with a solid win in the first race of the year," said Coach Paul Mokha, "I was pleased to see the guys execute what we have been working on in practice so well."

Up next for the Bruins is a March 17th tri-meet with UC-Irvine and San Diego State at Ballona Creek starting at 8am.