Keelhaulers' crew teams shine at the President’s Cup

GOLD RIVER, Calif. – Cal Maritime excelled in its for regatta of the spring in the water when it returned to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, California, for the annual President's Cup.

In previous events this season, the Keelhaulers competed in the HOCR Erg Challenge and Golden State Indoor Rowing Championships, both indoor events, with the latter also taking place at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.

In the President's Cup's inaugural race, Morgan Vincent Kiehn and Ethan Azevedo started the weekend on a strong note by winning gold in the Open Mixed Doubles race, setting the tone for the day in the process.

Cal Maritime captured its second gold medal of the day in the Men's Lightweight 4+, thanks to the hard work of coxswain Vincent Kiehn, Samuel Johnson, Azevedo, Joshua Phillippi and Hunter Chalakee, who competed in his second race of the event.

The Keelhaulers endured a bit of adversity of the Men's Novice Freshman 4+: Not only was Cal Maritime's boat part of a crowded heat, this crew experienced mechanical issues and saw Aden Sallaberry's shoes rip out during the race.

Following the race, the student-athletes skillfully combine parts to engineer a solution, since no spare shoes were available, to bring the boat quickly back to racing condition. Their creative problem solving prowess ensured the Lightweight 4+ could return to the water and compete.

Said head coach Michael Luecker, "after just 12 days on the water, the Keelhaulers proved their toughness, adaptability, and team spirit. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it's inspiring to see how each rower steps up for their team."

He added, "this is just the beginning, there are great things ahead."

As is the case with their student counterparts, men's and women's crew student-athletes will enjoy the school's spring recess before returning to campus to resume classes on March 10. Everyone will begin preparing for the next regatta, the San Diego Crew Classic, throughout the following two-plus weeks before heading to Fiesta Bay-Crown Point Shores, in San Diego, for the programs' next regatta.

This three-day event begins on Friday, March 28.