OAK RIDGE, Tenn.- The Jacksonville men's rowing team took three boats to the SIRA Regatta in Tennessee and sent all three to their respected finals.
 
"I thought it was an overall good regatta for JU this weekend," said head coach Preston Weinard. "Our team has been looking forward to this for some time and it carries a lot of weight for us. It's great to see our league getting faster around us, and with us, to make everything more competitive. JU had exciting finals in both the 2V/3V race and 1V race, kept us all on the edge of our seats!"
 
"I am most proud of how we raced and represented JU this weekend," said coach Weinard. "Hard fought battles throughout the weekend, especially those in the finals, that's what we're all about. These guys are learning to push themselves into dark places and get a win. That's what we will have to keep doing in our training to rise to the top."
 
Jacksonville's Varsity 8+ competed against 22 other boats throughout the weekend. In Saturday's time trial they had the second fastest time, posting a 5:24.575, and just behind Colgate. With the top 18 boats advancing to the semi-final, Jacksonville comfortably qualified for a chance to make it to the final.
 
In the semi-final later that day, JU's Varsity 8+ had the fastest time ahead of boats from Stetson, Purdue and Rollins College. The top two boats from the 'A' and 'B' semi-finals qualified for the final, and the Dolphins were in by way of winning their semi.
 
The Dolphins in the final finished in second place, just nine seconds behind Colgate and ahead of familiar foes like FIT and Stetson.
 
In the men's Junior Varsity 8+, Jacksonville was one of two schools to have two boats race in the time trial. The Dolphins Second Varsity 8+ finished just three seconds behind Virginia and ahead of boats from North Carolina and Notre Dame to claim second.
 
 All boats from the Junior Varsity 8+ advanced to the semi-finals and Jacksonville's Second and Third Varsity 8 took first and second in their respected final over teams from North Carolina and Purdue.
 
In the men's Junior Varsity 8+ A final on Sunday, the Dolphins two boats took second and third, respectively.
 
"I hope the team remembers three things from this weekend," further added Weinard. "First, they should feel proud of how they raced and competed this weekend. Proud to represent JU and show the region what we are made of. Second, I hope they feel blessed. Blessed to wear a JU racing tank, race on a great course, with great teammates and against great competitors. I feel very blessed to coach them today and every day, it gives me great joy to watch them race like that. And three, they should be hungrier for more. The results of the weekend should fuel them in their training for the weeks leading to Dad Vail and the AARC. There is always progress to be made so we will keep at it. God bless the work."
 
The Dolphins return to the water the weekend of May 12^th at Dad Vail in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.