Marin Rowing, led by the Master Men, was a strong presence at the Crew Classic this year! SAN DIEGO, Calif., April 8, 2008 – Marin Rowing Association’s junior (high school) and master’s crews had strong finishes across the board at the 2008 San Diego Crew Classic held April 5-6 on Mission Bay, a major national 2K regatta which drew more than 3,500 collegiate, high school and club rowers from 21 states across the country. Marin’s Masters Men 8E (ages 55-60) squad pulled a three-peat by bringing home the Stewards Cup for the third year running, retaining their championship title by a one-second margin over second-place finisher Cambridge, while the Men’s Masters 8B (ages 36-43) crew comfortably snagged the President’s Trophy by open water over the rest of the field, marking their second victory in this event in three years. Marin’s junior (high school) crews also had a successful weekend, with the Varsity Men’s 8+ finishing fourth out of 16 crews with just a 2.5-second margin separating the second, third and fourth place finishers, while the Varsity Men’s Lightweight 8+ also finishing fourth overall, and the JV Men’s 8 finished fifth. Marin’s Varsity Women’s 8+ and JV Women’s 8B both won their Petit Final contests, finishing 7th overall, while Marin’s JV Women’s 8A finished second of 14 despite one athlete dislocating her shoulder mid-race. Marin’s Masters Women placed 4th in the B and F (60+) events. “Our athletes were faced with some very tough competition from some of the strongest crews in the country,” comments Sandy Armstrong, director of Marin Rowing Association and head coach for the Varsity Women. “They’ve been training hard and it showed; we are very pleased with the results in San Diego, and now have our work cut out for us as we prepare for the Southwest Regional Junior Championships in Sacramento on May 10-11.”