Beavers Vernazza, Bruce Race to Gold at US Club Nationals

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Tina Vernazza (pictured) and Saasha Bruce each rowed to gold at the US Club Nationals last weekend. Photo Courtesy: OSU Athletics

(OAK RIDGE, Tenn. ) - Two members of the Oregon State women’s rowing team raced at the U.S. Club Nationals at Oak Ridge, Tenn. last weekend.

Former OSU rower Tina Vernazza, who will be an undergraduate coach this season, and rising senior Saasha Bruce each won gold medals racing for the Vesper Boat Club.

Vernazza participated in three races earning three gold medals. Vernazza rowed to victory in the intermediate lightweight 4x, the senior lightweight 2x and the senior lightweight single.

In the pair, Vernazza’s boat, the ‘B’ crew from Vesper, outdueled Vesper’s ‘A’ boat winning by two seconds.

Bruce, raced as part of three crews earning one gold and one silver medal. Rowing in the bow seat of the senior 4x, Bruce’s crew finished four lengths ahead to take the top spot on the podium.

In a close duel with Jacksonville, Bruce’s intermediate double scull, was edged by two-tenths of a second to finish second. She also rowed in the women’s intermediate 2 where her boat finished third in the semifinal.

Vernazza is a three-time Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team selection and Bruce has earned honorable mention twice. Both rowed in the Beavers' varsity 8 most of last season with Bruce in the 2-seat and Vernazza in the bow seat.

Source: Oregon State Athletics