Orange Takes Two but Big Green Takes Home Packard Cup

They went after it like two crews ranked next to each other and the end result showed that's how they should be compared. Dartmouth's Big Green Varsity Eight overcame a slight SU lead early to edge ahead of the Orange and hang on for a win by less than a second Saturday morning. The race was rowed on the sheltered buoy line along the far side of Onondaga Lake after driving rain and shifting winds blew the crews off the regular course.

Syracuse's Second Varsity Eight, also racing on the buoy line course grabbed the lead off the start and beat Dartmouth by more than a length of open water. The Third Varsity Eights got their race in on the regular course that runs past the boathouse and SU also had an open water win.

Syracuse's Varsity Eight came into the race ranked 15th in the US Rowing Coaches Poll to Dartmouth's 16th. In the EARC seeding poll SU was 13th and Dartmouth 12th. If this close race leaves them in those positions in the final seeding poll they'll face off again next Sunday morning in the morning heat at the Eastern Sprints.

Both Syracuse and Dartmouth will be looking for a strong finish at the Sprints to secure an invitation to the IRA in Sacramento.

Results Courtesy of row2k.com here  http://www.row2k.com/results/resultspage.cfm?UID=6222605&cat=1