March 8, 2008- Saturday morning the Bruins started the 2008 season with its annual dual versus Loyola Marymount. On a gorgeous morning on Ballona Creek the UCLA started with a convincing win in the novice 8 event. The novice A crew led from the start over the LMU Lions and the UCLA B boats gaining an open water lead by the 500 meter mark, “It was a solid race for us with a lot of power,” said stroke Griffin Lowe. The Bruins continued to extend their lead, even with a small crab at the 1250m mark, and finished in a time of 6:38.2 against an incoming tide. LMU went 7:00.8 followed by the UCLA B crew in 7:24.4. “They raced really well! The guys executed the plan well and even after catching that crab were able to stay focused and get it back.” Novice Coach Greg Everett.

As the morning went on, a stiff headwind built over the course for the Men’s varsity 8 race. Two UCLA crews lined up against LMU’s varsity 8 for the Guy Lundberg Memorial Cup. The Lions jumped out to a couple seat lead off the start but as the crews approached the 500 meter mark the UCLA A boat drew even as the UCLA B entry sat a half a length back.

Through the middle 1000 meters the Bruin A boat consistently pulled away, while under stroking LMU by 3 beats, to a two length and a half lead. “I wanted the guys to row a solid middle 1000 meters with emphasis on going faster in the second 1000,” said Head Coach Paul Mokha.

As the crews approached the final 300 meters, the Bruin B boat began to close on LMU. “I could feel them right there and new we were closing,” said bowman Marshall Knight. But the Lions were able to halt UCLA’s progress in the final 30 strokes to take second by one length over the UCLA B boat.

The UCLA A boat won in a time of 6:25.9 followed by LMU 6:37.1 and UCLA B 6:41. “Our start wasn’t very good but we settled into a solid powerful base. When we hit the 1000 meter mark we were ready to move and had a good second 1000,” five seat Alex Blaseio.

The Men’s Rowing program celebrated its 75th anniversary at its annual banquet in the evening and Sunday was the always entertaining alumni races and barbeque. “It was a great weekend for UCLA Rowing, past and present,” said Coach Mokha.

Next for the Bruins is the Pac-10 Challenge sponsored by Windermere on March 29-30 at Redwood Shores, CA.