MC men sweep 50th Purdue Challenge Cup

Mar. 26, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Marietta College Head Men's Crew Coach John Bancheri entered the weekend with some questions as to how his team would fare in its first race of the season. Bancheri left the 50th Annual Marietta vs. Purdue Challenge Cup Saturday (Mar. 26) with very pleased, as his squad swept the Boilermakers at Eagle Creek Park, the site of the 1994 World Championships.

"The guys performed outstanding today," said Bancheri. "Purdue is a great team and we were able to get the best of them today."

Action got underway Saturday with the Lightweight Four race. Marietta, which entered two boats in the event, took the top two spots. Boat "A" crossed the line in 6:56.14, while boat "B" followed in 7:01.71. Purdue (7:31.01) finished third.

The Freshman/Novice Eight boat defeated two Purdue shells, finishing with a time of 6:20.76. Purdue "A" placed second (+22.49), while Purdue "B" finished third (+44.06).

Both Marietta and Purdue combined their Lightweight Eight and JV Eight into a 2nd Varsity Eight boat. The Pioneer Navy beat Purdue to the line, crossing with a time of 6:15.86, 14 seconds ahead of the Boilermakers (6:30.25).

The featured race of the afternoon pitted the two school's Varsity Eights against each other. The race, which as of late has always come down to the wire, was another close one. Marietta (6:01.40) was able to beat Purdue (6:08.06) to the line to capture the Challenge Cup for the ninth time in Bancheri's 11 seasons.

The Pioneer Navy will look to build upon the successful weekend, as its gets ready to host the 11th Annual Marietta Invitational Regatta, which will be held on the Muskingum River Saturday and Sunday (Apr. 2-3).