St Cross College, Oxford

This year's Summer Eights saw an impressive performance by St Cross rowers, who compete as part of Wolfson College Boat Club.

After the 4 day competition, Wolfson College Boat Club tied in second place for most bumps gained among all College boat clubs. Furthermore, the Mens 1st VIII made Wolfson Boat Club history by becoming the first crew to earn a place in Men's Division I. 

Congratulations to all St Crosser's involved:

Men's 1st VIII: Matt Richard, Paul Luttik, Cliff Sofield, and Nanda Pirie (cox)
Women's 1st VIII: Claire Millican, Maria Gerelle, Amy McLennan, and Gillian McFarland
Women's 2nd VIII: Stephanie Solywoda and Victoria Reuter
Women's 3rd VIII: Laura Sauls, Annie Demosthenous, Megan Dragony, Joanna Pardoe, and Nicole Yager

Full commentary of each days' races by St Cross Sports Representative, Clifford Sofield.

Wednesday:

The Women's 1st VIII made a great push to bump Exeter coming out of the Gut. According to Claire Millican, 'it was a proper blade on face bump'! The Men's 2nd VIII bumped Pembroke III just as Pembroke were gaining overlap on St Anne's II; an excellent way to start the week for both crews.

On the down side, the Women's 3rd VIII were bumped by Balliol III after an unlucky start. The Women's 2nd VIII rowed over, not quite able to catch Wadham II before the finish and the Men's 1st VIII also rowed over as Worcester (the crew ahead of them) bumped out on Queen's

Thursday:

The Women's 2nd VIII led the parade with not one but two bumps. First they vanquished Wadham II, who escaped them yesterday, in the Gut. An hour later they bumped up into Division III by walking all over Pembroke II in a sum total of eight strokes. The Women's 1st VIII continued their bumping success, nailing Keble in under 20 strokes. The Men's 2nd VIII continued these winning ways, cruising into St Anne's II just past Donnington Bridge. The Men's 1st VIII finished off the day with a workman‐like bump on Queen's just above Donny Bridge. Only the Women's 3rd VIII were unlucky, as they were bumped after a massive crab, by Christ Church IV.

Friday:

The Men's 2nd VIII got their third bump in as many days, running their bow over Brasenose II's stern just past Donnington Bridge. The Women's 2nd VIII also got their third bump, stunning Hertford II in only 25 strokes. The Men's 1st VIII executed their race plan perfectly to bump Wadham on the Green Bank. Unhappily, the Women's 1st VIII were caught by Keble outside the boathouses after having put in everything trying to bump Univ before they bumped out on a weak St Hilda's in the Gut. The Women's 3rd VIII were 3rd time unlucky on the start line, getting bumped by Osler House III.

Saturday:

The Men's 1st VIII made a glorious end to the day by bumping Keble and then an hour later bumping Worcester to move up into the first division. This is the first time Wolfson College Boat Club has ever had a men's crew in Div I. They finish Eights with 4 bumps overall.

The Women's 2nd VIII also finished Eights with 4 bumps, knocking out Lady Margaret Hall's first boat oing into the Gut. The Women's 3rd VIII very satisfyingly rowed over today, as did the Women's 1st VIII and the Men's 2nd VIII, who finished up one place and up three places, respectively in their divisions.

Congratulations to all our rowers.