THE SUNSET OF CONIBEAR beat the Cornell Junior Varsity by a few feet, and the Syracuse Alumni combination won by half a length over the Navy Plebes.”4056 The New York Times, July 8, 1960: “Navy and a Syracuse alumni eight provided the surprises today in the second phase of the United States Olympic Rowing Trials. “The Middies gained the distinction of being the first ever to place two shells in an American Trials’ eight-oared final.4057 Their Varsity and Plebe crews each finished second in the two semi-final heats. Syracuse continued to do the unexpected by winning its semi-final. “Joining the two Navy eights and Syracuse in the final was the University of California. The Golden Bears, who won last month’s Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta, took the second semi-final from Navy’s Plebes by half a length. “The Syracuse unit consisted of six men from the 1960 Orange Varsity and two from the 1959 [Pan American Champion] shell. “Adding luster to the Syracuse triumph was the quality of the opposition. In addition to the Navy Varsity, Syracuse faced the Varsities of Cornell, the Eastern Sprint Champion, and the University of Washington.”4058 The New York Times, July 9, 1960: “An inspired Navy Varsity crew won the eight-oared final today at the United States Olympic Trials. Stroked in a sparkling manner by Lyman Perry of Easton, Maryland, the Middies won by a long length from the University of California. Third at 4056 Michael Strauss, California and Navy Crews Triumph, The New York Times, July 8, 1960 4057 In fact, this was first done by the U.S. Naval Academy in 1920. See Chapter 51. It was repeated by the Navy graduate boat and the Navy Varsity in 1924. See Chapter 52. 4058 Michael Strauss, 2 Navy Shells, Syracuse Alumni and California Advance to Final, The New York Times, July 9, 1960 the end of the 2,000 meter grind, almost half a length behind the Golden Bears, was the Syracuse Alumni Rowing Association. “Fourth and last was a courageous Navy Plebe Eight which, after a slow start, poured it on and almost caught Syracuse at the finish. “In the race’s early stages, it appeared that another California victory was in the making. The Golden Bears, starting with a stepped-up tempo, moved down to a beat of 36 strokes a minute and then to 34 as they took command. “California appeared to have no difficulty remaining ahead. Then a roar was heard as the Syracuse Alumni began sprinting. The Orangemen, made up only a few weeks ago, passed pace-setting California at the 1,100-meter mark and was leading until Navy surged 500 meters from home and set the stage for the Navy triumph. “The other three boats could do nothing to amend the situation. Indeed, the shell that closed fastest was the Navy Plebes.”4059 Peter Bos: “I have to say emphatically that The New York Times got it all wrong. I do not at all remember Syracuse passing us or Cal at the 1,100 meter mark, and we did not surge 500 meters from home to win it. “What actually happened was that before the race, Lou told us that he’d noticed in previous races and in practice time trials that Cal took a power 20 at the 1,000 meter mark, took the lead and kept it. “Lou said to take a power 20 with them and hold them, saying that would have a negative mental effect. He was totally right. “Navy and Cal were neck and neck in the lead for the whole first 1,000 meters, and when Bill Long, our coxswain, heard the 4059 Michael Strauss, Navy Crew Earns Trip to Olympics in 8-Oared Event, The New York Times, July 10, 1960 1123
