SEATTLE –Saturday, March 25 marks 116th year of the Class Day Regatta. Races begin at 10 a.m. PT.
The Class Day Regatta began in 1901 and was created by men's coach Hiram Conibear. Washington women's rowing participated in Class Day as early as 1907, and started competing regularly at Class Day starting in 1980, having competed every year since.
Class boats are made up of the best eight within each of their respective classes. Class Day promotes unity within and encouraging rowers to identify with and take pride in their class. Class Day drives interclass competition and sets the tone for the season.
"One of the things that makes Washington really special is how strongly each person identifies with their class," said women's head coach Yaz Farooq. "New class slogans are up on the walls of the Cut, the W in front of the docks has a fresh coat of paint. It's all building up to Saturday."
"You go through Washington Rowing as both an individual and as a class. These class bonds extend beyond the collegiate experience," said men's head coach Michael Callahan. "Class Day is the most hard fought intrasquad race; its fun to watch the guys go to the well for each other."
Seattle Times Women's Eight
The 2016 senior class took home the Class Day title last year and was their second victory in a row, as the class won in 2015 as juniors. The 2017 senior class will look for redemption after finishing in fourth last year as juniors. The Washington women's rowing team has recruited impressive student-athletes that will make for a very competitive races from all four classes.
"It has been really fun to see the genuine enthusiasm of everyone on the team as they get ready for this race," said Farooq. "It's an opportunity to show that passion and to put that conviction on their blades, so spirit and pride play huge roles in the outcome. I am excited to see who wants it the most."
A win for the 2017 senior class, would be the 20th victory for the seniors in Class Day history. The seniors and juniors have dominated over the years, with the sophomores and freshman combining to win only four times since 1980. The most successful stretch for the seniors came in the 1980s, when the seniors won eight of nine between 1981-1989.
The junior class has controlled Class Day in recent years, winning three of five during 2012-2016. The juniors have a total of 15 wins in Class Day history.
The sophomores have won just five times and haven't earned a victory since 2003. They also recorded victories in 1999, 1991, 1976 and 1917.
The freshman class has had only four victories, their most recent in 1990, which was their first win since 1909.
Class Day victories by class:
Seniors – 19
Juniors – 15
Sophomores – 5
Freshman – 4
Note: Many years do not have results available; the above totals reflect only recorded results.
George M. Varnell Men's Eight
The 2017 senior class will look to defend their Class Day title, as the class won in last season as juniors. It was the second year in a row that the junior class came out on top.
The seniors have come out the victor 38 times in the Class Day history, and have won two of the last four after losing seven straight from 2006-2012. The seniors have dominated in stretches, winning four straight twice (1961-1964, 1986-1989) and seven straight from 1999-2005.
The juniors have had recent success, winning five of the last seven including the last two Class Days and three straight from 2010-2012. The junior class has won a total of 25 times.
The sophomore class has 18 victories, their most successful stretch coming in the 1930s and early 1940s, when the sophomores won three of four from 1932-1935 and three straight from 1939-1941. They have only won four times in the last 50 years, their last win coming in 1998.
The freshman class has won just seven times in Class Day history, but won the first-ever Class Day Regatta in 1901. The last victory for the freshman class came in 2009, ending a stretch from 2006-2009 when the freshman won three of four. Prior to 2006, the freshman hadn't won since 1947.
Class Day victories by class:
Seniors – 38
Juniors – 25
Sophomores – 18
Freshman – 7
Note: Many years do not have results available, the above totals reflect only recorded results.
Class Day Race Schedule
Fans are encouraged to watch from the Montlake Cut and at the finish line at the west end of the Cut.
10 a.m.: Race 1: Women's Varsity / Novice Challenge
10:10 a.m.: Race 2: Men's Varsity / Freshmen Challenge
10:20 a.m.: Race 3: The Seattle Times Women's Eight
10:30 a.m.: Race 4: George M. Varnell Men's Eight
Additional Information
The Class Day Regatta will be accompanied by a weekend full of festivities, highlighted by the Washington Rowing Banquet on Friday, March 24, featuring keynote speakers Eric Cohen, '82, Washington Rowing's Historian and writer for the Board of Stewards and Gail Stewart Bowser, '84, the captain and stroke of the 1984 national championship eight. The weekend also includes the Class Day "Cruise With Croissants," and the Class Day Awards and Barbecue. On the Men's and Women's side, team captains for the year are named, the Piggott Award is given to honor the most inspirational team member, and the Schaller Award is given to the student-athlete with the highest G.P.A. and the Dick Erickson Memorial Scholarship is presented.