Georgia Tech Crew Alumni: Race Recap: SERCS, 3/10/07

After the scrimmage against UGA at Fort Yargo, the team headed to another UGA hosted event, SERCS (Southeastern Regional Collegiate Sprints) in Aiken, SC.

UGA describes the event:

"Categorized as a club sport under the University's Recreational Sports Department, UGA Rowing is a self-directed endeavor. Now a 501(c)6 non-profit organization, the team operates with an annual budget of approximately $150,000, receiving very limited funds from the University. The team must accomplish a tremendous amount of fundraising in order to supplement the difference. In order to try and meet this need, the idea of hosting SERCS was born.

The Southeastern Regional Collegiate Sprints (SERCS) Regatta was first held March 11, 2000 and was hosted by UGA Crew coaches, officers and team members. The race was originally held at the 1996 Olympic-training site in Elberton, Ga. within Richard B. Russell State Park. An immaculate course design was implemented for several years following its original use by the Olympic teams, but unfortunately was left to deteriorate over time. Four members of UGA Rowing attempted to reuse what was left of the original course while making the modifications necessary to lie out a very straightforward 2000-meter course for spring racing. While offering a great venue for racing, UGA Rowing elected to move its home regatta from Elberton in the spring of 2004. With tremendous guidance and support from Aiken County Parks and Recreation and Brian Sanders, the SERCS Regatta is now pleased to call Langley Pond its home.

SERCS is held as a fundraising endeavor for the UGA men's and women's rowing teams, as well as an opportunity to bring great competition together for a remarkable day of racing. Every spring since 2000, teams fill the water with racing shells from places near and far. Teams have included Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Clemson University, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Alabama, Auburn University, Emory University, Bucknell University, Skidmore College, Manhattan College, SUNY-StonyBrook and many others."

The Varsity Men put out a fleet of eights, fours, pairs and singles winning 9 medals for Georgia Tech. In the Lightweight 4 event, the A boat brought home the gold with the B boat also qualifying for finals. Georgia Tech made its presence known in the single with four entries. Austin Nichols won the event with Jonathan Spoerke taking home the bronze. The Men’s Champ 4 won a bronze medal. The men also swept the pair event taking the top three spots, vying for first place in a drag race in the last 250m. The Men’s Champ 8 won their event with the Lightweight 8 also medaling, taking third to RIT.

The Illustrious Lightweight Men

The Varsity Women due to last minute scheduling changes had to switch the lineups for the double and pair events and still managed to win both, highlighting the squad’s versatility in small boats. The women’s pair even beat out SCAD’s men. The women also raced a fairly novice four in the Champ 4 event, taking 4th in heats. The Champ 8, featuring three novice and alumna Rebekah Henry took 3rd in heats and 6th in the final.

The Novice Men put two 8’s and two 4’s on the water. After winning their heat, the Novice 8 A boat won their event with the B boat taking 4th in heats. Both the Novice 4’s won their heats. The A boat won the event and the B boat placed 6th in finals.