Photo by Tammy Curtis Zolnowsky

KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island is in a tie for eighth place after the first day of racing at the Lake Natoma Invitational, being held at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.

Racing on flat water with no wind, the Rams put forth strong performances despite finishing third in each of its races on the day. The Second Varsity 8 boat had the closest finish, maintaining contact with No. 3 Cal and No. 22 Notre Dame throughout its first race of the day, coming in just 8.7 seconds behind the Irish and 29.2 seconds behind Cal.

Cal – the event's defending champion – finished the first day in a three-way tie atop the standings with No. 2 Brown and No. 6 Stanford. No. 16 Notre Dame and No. 22 San Diego are tied for fourth with 24 points. Gonzaga is sixth with 23 points. Seventh is Sacramento State with 13 points, followed by the Rams and Loyola Marymount with 12 each.

Rhode has a chance to move up in the standings Sunday morning, as it will be racing against Sacramento State and Loyola Marymount on the final day of the competition.

Rhode Island Results
Session 1 – Saturday, April 11
Varsity 8
Cal – 6:18.4
Notre Dame – 6:33.7
Rhode Island – 6:49.1

Second Varsity 8
Cal – 6:31.0
Notre Dame – 6:44.1
Rhode Island – 6:52.8

Varsity 4
Cal – 7:16.4
Notre Dame – 7:21.5
Rhode Island – 7:43.5

Session 2 – Saturday, April 11
Varsity 8
Brown – 6:39.9
San Diego – 6:51.3
Rhode Island – 6:59.9

Second Varsity 8
Brown – 6:41.6
San Diego – 6:58.9
Rhode Island – 7:10.5

Varsity 4
Brown – 7:29.1
San Diego – 7:39.0
Rhode Island – 8:03.3

Standings – Day One
Cal – 36
Stanford – 36
Brown – 36
San Diego – 24
Notre Dame – 24
Gonzaga – 23
Sacramento State – 13
Rhode Island – 12
Loyola Marymount – 12