Illini Men Finish 3rd in Season Opener

Most of the day's racing, including all 4+'s and novice events, were cancelled before the day even started. But that did not keep the big boats off the water. The Fighting Illini men's team made the trip to Creve Coeur, MO to race the Varsity Men's 8+ against Mid-West rivals Washington University and St. Louis University. The conditions were rough but fair, with an even tail wind pushing all crews. The race started clean with the WashU Varsity 8+ overstroking the Illini and pulling up an early few seats. WashU's Novice 8+, who took the entire Great Plains and Great Lakes conference by storm last Fall winning the Novice 8+ at the 2010 Head of the Eagle, trailed the Fighting Illini Mixed Novice/Varsity crew after the start. SLU, who held pace with the WashU novices off the start caught an early crab and fell back half a boat before resuming. At the midway point, WashU V8+ opened up a 1-1/2 length lead on the pack and held. WashU's N8+ made a push on the Illini at the midway point, after being down 1/2 length. The Fighting Illini V/N8+ fought the WashU N8+ the last half of the course, slipping to 1 seat down at the finish with the finishing horns going off near simultaneously. The final margin was WashU V8+ by 1-1/2 open over WashU N8+ by 1 seat over Illinois V/N8+ by 3 boats open on SLU.The race was a stellar match up for all three schools, and was an exceptional preview of this season's racing. The Fighting Illini, who had never fielded a varsity caliber 8+ against rival's SLU and WashU, definitely proved they can compete on that level this season. It also goes a long way to show how a Charles Club 8+ next fall may stack up.