To the Races Conclusion

Mike, Laura and I had to get up early to attend the concrete canoe races in Rolla Missouri.  It was about a three hour drive from our house at the pond and we picked Laura up in St. Louis on the way.  However, it was not as bad a car trip as I anticipated.  Even though we had to leave the house at 5 am, Mike and Laura had arranged a meeting place along the way so we would not waste any driving time.  It happened to be at a Krispy Kreme donut shop and the 'Hot Donut' sign was on when we got there.  Definitely perked me up.  Maybe that was why we have smiles on our faces when we arrived at the race site at 8:30 am.

Right after lunch the heats began for the girls sprints.  Teammates Dana and Marty were in the second heat in the first lane.  They had to row straight across the lake to the buoy, round the buoy keeping it on their left and return to the starting line.  

Marty and Dana getting ready to race.  

Marty and Dana are in the first lane which is
farthest away from the camera.

Dana and Marty pulling ahead as the race begins.

Dana and Marty ended up pulling so far ahead that
they finished the race with no competition in sight.   

The winners of their heat.  This team was going on to the finals.
FYI:  Dana and Marty came in second in the finals.  Losing by 1 second.   

Mike and I left soon after Dana's race so we missed the rest of the days competitions and the evenings  banquet where the points were tallied and the winner was announced.  However, Emily called us later that evening to let us know the results.  Her team won the concrete canoe competition and were going to Tyler Texas in June for the National competition!  Since Suzanne lives only 100 miles from there, it looks like the Peterson's are having a family vacation in Texas in June.  Can't wait!

SIUC team picture at the awards ceremony.
First place in the concrete canoe contest.

Anyone interested in helping the SIUC concrete canoe team go to nationals, there is a go fund site available for donations.  Click here SIUC Concrete Canoe to Nationals.