Notre Dame took to the water and had a strong showing in its first event of the season at the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational this past weekend. The Irish swept West Virginia, split their six races with Louisville and scored three event victories against Duke over the two-day event.
The second varsity eight secured another victory for the Irish in the second Notre Dame event of the day. Their time of 6:37.70 just edged those of the Cardinals (6:41.52) and Mountaineers (7:15.99).
Notre Dame’s first varsity four finished at 7:22.10 in its first action of the season, handily beating Louisville (7:34.64) and West Virginia (8:00.48).
The victory streak for the Irish stopped at three, as Louisville captured victories in the second varsity four and third varsity four. Notre Dame’s first varsity eight and first varsity four came in second behind Virginia in afternoon races.
The Irish took three straight races against Duke on Sunday. With a time of 6:40.50 in the first varsity eight, Notre Dame defeated the Blue Devils by almost 10 seconds (6:50.13).
The second eight took a victory in 6:48.70 over the Blue Devils (7:02.95) as well.
Notre Dame’s last victory Sunday came from its first varsity four, which clocked in at 7:31.70, ahead of Duke’s time of 7:57.50.
The Irish next race at the Lake Natoma Invitational, which will begin on April 12 in Folsom, Calif.
