University of San Francisco Athletics

If the crew team's home opener last Friday is any indication as to their performance for the rest of the season, expect the continued success from last year's outstanding novice race record. The Dons (finishing in 7:10) won the 2000 meter four-man meet against both the Californian Maritime Academy Lightweights (7:18) and freshman novices (7:22).

By the end of their first ten strokes, the Dons had already taken a two-seat lead on both CMA boats which was to steadily increase to nearly three boat-lengths at the finish. Although the Dons had commanded an early lead they would never lose, second and third place were not decided until the end of 1000 meters when the CMA lightweights slowly overtook the less experienced novices. The weather at the Alameda estuary was unseasonably cold and windy, but the race was run on a relatively still course.

"The wind was not as much a factor as I though it would be. "said coxswain and co-captain Mark Foraker.Co-captain Michael Dakan, Greg Clar, Steve Thompson and Greg Kopecky paced the win. coach John Peterson knows that a 7:10 against CMA was good, but improvement is necessary if the team is to remain competitive during the rest of the season at the varsity level. The Dons compete again this weekend at the Redwood Shores Regatta (USFFoghorn).