Need for Speed

OAKLAND, Calif. – Stanford assistant coach Jake Cornelius and men’s rowers Austin Hack and Kaess Smit were all in Oakland last weekend for the 2013 Fall West Coast Speed Order.

The event that took place at the California Rowing Club is one of the USA Senior National Team Selection events. It is a chance for rowers to make a name for themselves if they haven’t already been recognized or for rowers who have already competed with USA squads it is a great training exercise.

“It is important for us to go and compete because you want people to know that you are training and competing year round,” said Cornelius. “You can’t just show up in July and expect to be named to the national team.”  

The fall speed order started with a 6k erg test on a Concept 2 (Fixed) machine on Saturday. The erg test determined the start order for a time trial race on Sunday. The course for the time trial was 4,080m and divided into three parts: the start to the second pole set (about 1.8k), the second pole set to the first pole set (about 1.2k) and the first pole set to the finish (about 1.1k).

“The event is a great chance to get your name out there and showcase your abilities,” said junior Kaess Smit.

All three of the Stanford crew posted strong results. In the erg test, Hack had the third best time with an 18:54.10. Smit was two spots back in fifth with a time of 19:11.60 and Cornelius was seventh overall with a mark of 19:15.80. In all there were 31 competitors to compete the test.

The fall speed order was the final senior national team selection event of 2013. The first big event for USRowing in 2014 will be the World Rowing Cup #1 in Sydney, Australia March 22-24.

At the time trial on Sunday, Hack and Smit rowed together in a 2- and put together a time of 14:22.87 for the second best time. Cornelius was in the 1x with most of the competitors, finishing sixth with a time of 15:47.81.