Humboldt State University Athletics

ARCATA — For the first time in Humboldt State women’s rowing history the Jacks travel cross-country to Philadelphia, Penn. to participate in the 71st Dad Vail Regatta on Schuylkill River this Friday and Saturday.

Regatta Notes

This regatta features competition between more than 100 schools from all regions of the USA. Success at Dad Vail will help the NCAA cross-region ranked schools from the United States and Canada. “This regatta will actually give a clear picture of what is happening nationally, which has never happened before,” Humboldt State head rowing coach Robin Meiggs said. “HSU and Seattle Pacific are bubble schools - as we know that Western Washington will take the team bid out of the West. Both HSU and SPU are hoping to race well enough to win an at-large team or at-large eight bid to the NCAA National Championships.” …The Lumberjacks will race against the following schools at the Division II and II levels ¬– Barry University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cazenovia College, Dowling College, Florida Tech, Grand Valley State University, Johns Hopkins University, Lawrence University, Mercyhurst College, Nova Southeastern University, Orange Coast College, Philadelphia University, Rollins College, Seattle Pacific University, Susquehanna University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Florida, University of Rochester, University of St. Thomas and Washington University.

Lumberjacks Notes

After a successful outing at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association, with five grand final appearances, the Lumberjacks look forward to their new adventure at the Dad Vail Regatta, where they will only be racing their varsity eight boat. HSU will only be traveling with nine athletes compared to their normal 45-crew roster. “WIRA was the culminating event for the team,” Meiggs said. “Only 16 athletes remain for 12 spots. Traveling nine seems like a cakewalk.” …The Jacks face two hurdles at this weekend’s regatta in a three-hour time difference and racing on a choppy course. A three-hour time change might not seem like a problem for most sports but rowing is primarily raced in the early morning. “I imagine the time change and the fact that it's the weekend before finals will produce some stress,” Meiggs said. “We hear that the river will probably be fierce based on the storms that just moved through California last weekend. What we learned last weekend is if the conditions are good, then we will likely row well. Being in lane six last weekend in the grand finals, with the serious side quartering head wind diminished our ability to remain focused. We are working on focus as a boat.” …After this morning’s practice, HSU rower Jacki Colloton complained of a potential knee injury. The coaching staff is trying to stay positive in hoping it was just due to using a borrowed boat and that it wont be serious.