Men’s rowing: OCC living high off the land

LONG BEACH - 2001: A Crew Odyssey. For the Orange Coast College

men’s rowers Saturday, it certainly had that feel as the Pirates enjoyed

a clean sweep over Long Beach State and UCI, both four-year universities,

at Marine Stadium.

“Fair conditions for all crews made it possible for the crews to

perform to the best of their abilities,” said OCC Coach David A. Grant,

also the school’s former president.

Orange Coast won every race by significant margins, led by the Varsity

Eights in 6:03, blowing away from UCI (6:13) and the host 49ers (6:14).

OCC’s Varsity Fours (6:25), Novice ‘A’ Eights (6:15) and Novice ‘B’

Eights (6:45) also won heats. In the Varsity Fours, OCC’s second shell

also placed second in the race in 6:38, an indication of great depth and

strength in crew.

“This racing was an excellent opportunity for Orange Coast to prepare

its crews for very difficult racing (this) weekend at the San Diego Crew

Classic, against Yale, Washington, Pennsylvania, Navy, Cal, among

others,” Grant said.