Nov. 4- The Bruins competed in four events on Sunday at the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival. The Open 8 saw Stanford win (14:55) with UCLA finishing fifth (15:24). "The first 1500 meters were a little frantic but we were able to settle down and get into our rhythm. From then on it was a good row," stroke Brad Stapleton. "When we got to the second turn and tried to pass the University of San Diego they wouldn't move, said coxswain Sarah Koff, we had to paddle for about five strokes to avoid running over their stern. Once I had some space we got right back to our race speed."

The Bruin's B entry placed 16th (15:24) beating five schools A entries in a field of twenty eight crews. The second event for UCLA was the lightweight 8. It was the first time the Bruins have entered a lightweight 8 in recent memory. "The weight restriction was 165lb. per athlete with no averaging, said coach Mokha, so we were able to piece a boat together of guys who could meet the requirements."

The "lights" (pictured) were matched up with one other crew, USC. The Bruins covered the course in 16:16, seventeen seconds faster than the Trojans. "It was fun to row the lightweight event and we rowed well, two-seat Chris Crane, it was also great beating USC."

In a field of twenty-three the Bruins took second in the Open four finishing eighteen seconds ahead of the third place crew from UC-San Diego. Stanford was the event winner in a time of 16:33, twenty seconds ahead of UCLA. "We were tired from the eight race but had good power per stroke. It felt good," stroke Martin Reschke. Racing against a fresh Stanford crew, I thought we did alright."

The B entry placed twelfth even after getting involved in a collision. "On the last turn we were about to pass San Diego St. when the coxswain just turned right into us! We clashed oars and came to a dead stop, said coxswain Lila Miller; I had to have the guys back it down so we could get around them to continue the race."

The Bruins finished the day with three of its five entries on the day placing in the top five. "I think that shows we have some depth this year, said coach Mokha. We would have liked our Open 8 to finish a little higher but it was great to see our lightweights win!"