ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell men's heavyweight rowing team travels to Worcester, Mass., this weekend to compete in the Eastern Sprints Championship on Lake Quinsigamond.
The Big Red will compete in five events across the morning heats, which will begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 17. The afternoon finals will commence just after 1 p.m. and run through nearly 5 p.m. Both sessions will be streamed live on Overnght, which requires a paid subscription.
Todd Kennett '91, the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing and head coach of Cornell men's heavyweight rowing, has seen the program take meaningful steps forward during the regular season, even as the final weeks has brought some logistical challenges.
"Our results are closing on the leaders," Kennett said. "We still have a way to go and every second is a battle."
The road to Worcester has not been without obstacles. A recurring wave of illness and demands of final exams have made it difficult to establish a consistent rhythm in practice over the last two weeks, with lineups needing to be shifted regularly.
"It has made the last week very interesting to find a real rhythm and pattern to progress and build speed due to changing lineups," Kennett said. "As exams end and more guys recover, I can feel the optimism and positive vibes overtaking all the negatives."
Eastern Sprints also carries significant postseason implications as the first seven IRA-eligible finishers in the 1V8+ will earn a bid to the IRA National Championship in Gold River, Calif., in two weeks. The 2V8+ and 3V8+ are open to any institution whose 1V8+ has been entered for the IRA, while the 4+ is open to any IRA member institution regardless of 1V8+ qualification.
Kennett noted the added significance of the weekend for his senior class, for whom the Sprints represent the final competitive opportunity of their collegiate careers regardless of IRA qualification.
"This is the end of the season for almost 16 guys," he said. "I was very touched by the energy of the group. For the past four years, the team has taken positive steps in attitude and work, and this year was no different. Our culture is continuing to grow in a very positive direction. The seniors all talked about the improvements they saw every year in their careers."
Attendance at this year's Eastern Sprints requires advance ticket purchase, a change from previous years when cash entry was accepted at the gate.
MORNING HEATS SCHEDULE
Subject to change
8:10 a.m. — 4V8+ Heat No. 2 (Penn, Harvard, Brown, Boston University, Navy, Cornell)
8:40 a.m. — 1V8+ Heat No. 3 (Brown, Dartmouth, Syracuse, Cornell, Holy Cross)
10 a.m. — 2V8+ Heat No. 3 (Syracuse, Dartmouth, Cornell, Boston University, Georgetown)
10:30 a.m. — 3V8+ Heat No. 3 (Dartmouth, Penn, Boston University, Cornell, Wisconsin)
10:50 a.m. — 1V4+ Heat No. 2 (Wisconsin, Holy Cross, Cornell, Princeton)
AFTERNOON FINALS SCHEDULE
Subject to change
1:10 p.m. — 4V8+ Petite Final (Bottom three-finishing crews from two heats)
1:20 p.m. — 4V8+ Grand Final (Top three-finishing crews from two heats)
1:30 p.m. — 1V4+ Petite Final (Bottom three-finishing crews from two heats)
1:40 p.m. — 1V4+ Grand Final (Top three-finishing crews from two heats)
2:32 p.m. — 3V8+ Third Final (Fifth-place-finishing crews from three heats)
2:42 p.m. — 3V8+ Petite Final (Third- and fourth-place-finishing crews from three heats)
2:52 p.m. — 3V8+ Grand Final (First- and second-place-finishing crews from three heats)
3:26 p.m. — 2V8+ Third Final (Fifth-place-finishing crews from three heats)
3:36 p.m. — 2V8+ Petite Final (Third- and fourth-place-finishing crews from three heats)
3:46 p.m. — 2V8+ Grand Final (First- and second-place-finishing crews from three heats)
4:28 p.m. — 1V8+ Third Final (Fifth-place-finishing crews from three heats)
4:38 p.m. — 1V8+ Petite Final (Third- and fourth-place-finishing crews from three heats)
4:48 p.m. — 1V8+ Grand Final (First- and second-place-finishing crews from three heats)
LINEUPS
To be announced
