Coast in finals

Orange Coast College men’s crew, amid the elite of college rowing

and within the shadows of Princeton University, rows at 3 p.m. today,

despite its freshman-sophomore status, in the men’s varsity eight finals,

vying against four-year schools Michigan, Georgetown, Marist, Colgate and

Ithaca College after advancing through earlier rounds on the 2,000-meter

course at the Avaya Championship Regatta.

“We’re still in it,” said Coach Dave Grant. “It’s hard to believe. You

can’t imagine the number of major schools with their stuff packed up and

leaving. We’re getting all kinds of respect.”

Sierra Caldwell is the coxswain and her lineup, from No. 1, includes

Mike Krueger, Alan Twigg, Jesse Waldowski, Brian Scheele, Gints Salaks,

Matt Heitbrink, Chris Pope and Stuart Blair.

Also vying today, at 11:20 a.m., is the men’s freshman novice eight,

which will be dueling the likes of Michigan, Virginia, UC San Diego,

Bates College and Ithaca College.

Caldwell is the coxswain in this boat, as well, with the crew

consisting of Andrew Blair, Nick D’Antoni, Tom Redouty, Chris Lentini,

John Zeiger, Will Harris, Ryan Costelloe and John Erickson.

It’s Orange Coast’s final competition prior to the Henley on the

Thames invitation in England July 2-7.