Crew Championships at Lake Natoma
May 1, 2016 – The Cal Maritime crew team competed this weekend at the WIRA (Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association) Championships at Lake Natoma in Sacramento. Due to various end-of-the-year conflicts, the Keelhaulers only entered the men's pair, but that pair of Caelan Chaykin and Ben Potter represented the team very well. Making their racing more impressive was the fact that both were just second-year rowers and lightweights, competing against a predominantly heavyweight field. Strong cross winds on Saturday morning made the heats even more of a struggle, with pairs trying to stay in their lanes while being buffeted by the winds coming from starboard to port. The Keelhaulers got off to a solid start with two other boats, trying to stay in the top three in order to advance to the grand finals on Sunday. Making adjustments throughout the 2,000-meter course, the pair maintained their course and their third position. Down half a boat to second place with 250 meters left, Chaykin and Potter made a furious rally to try and gain the second spot, coming up short by 0.4 seconds but building their confidence for the finals. In the Sunday finals, Cal Maritime again got out to a strong start and stayed within contact of the main group throughout most of the race. Ultimately, the leaders were able to pull away, but the Keelhaulers stayed strong and kept their technique, finishing fifth in a finals field of seven. Overall, their fifth-place finish put them ahead of seven other teams, from the heats and finals.