Doubles boat takes second in four-team event

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - Chapman University's women's crew team got a big lift from its doubles boat on Sunday in a home event in the Newport Harbor featuring visiting U.C. Irvine, U.C. Santa Barbara and Cal State Long Beach. The Panthers placed second in the pairs race, just 4 seconds behind U.C. Santa Barbara's first place boat.

The doubles boat, driven by senior Michelle O'Keefe and junior Veronica Gomez, took advantage of a slight tailwind and navigated the 2000-meter course in 8:13.8, placing ahead of two Long Beach boats and a second Santa Barbara vessel.

Chapman's Varsity 8 boat also turned in its best time of the season, finishing the same course in 7:23.5. However, it was still nearly 26 seconds behind the winning boat from Santa Barbara and good for third place in the three-boat race. \

The race was the Panthers' final tuneup before the WIRA Championships in Sacramento, May 1-2.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Results: http://www.row2k.com/results/resultspage.cfm?UID=2345222&cat=5