On Saturday, March 29, the men’s rowing team took on Grand Valley State University in a series of five minute race pieces in Grand Rapids, MI. The team traveled to Michigan Friday evening in order to be better prepared to race in the morning. Conditions for the rowing were sub-par, with temperatures in the mid-thirties and the Grand River running high and fast due to snowmelt. This did not deter either team, however, and they took to the water around 9am for the day’s racing. The JV8+ boats from each school kicked off the racing, with the Varsity 8 and Novice crews following. The top eight rowers split from each team into two 4+ boats because the two teams will be seeing each other next weekend in the San Diego Crew Classic and did not want to reveal too much about their respective boat speeds. Each race was tight, and the sides traded pieces competitively. After the morning’s racing concluded, the teams traveled to the GVSU rowing training center for a joint lunch put on by the GVSU team and its supporters. With stomachs full and extremities thawed, the teams broke and the Irish navy returned to South Bend mid-afternoon.