VICTORIA - For the second straight year, and 16th overall, the UVic Vikes men's rowing team is Brown Cup Champions. The Vikes defeated the UBC T-Birds Saturday, in the annual dual race between the eight-man crews.

The Vikes dominance in the Brown Cup continued at the Gorge Waterway, as the UVic crew won for the 16th time in 19 races against UBC.

The winning boat consisted of cox #Jane Gumley#, #Tom Watson#, #Josh Morris#, #Mike Mason#, #Eric Bevan#, #Eric Tremblay#, #Richard Herlinveaux#, #Peter Brooks# and #Brent Dallimore#.

"We knew UBC was going to come back strong, but it looked like we had control pretty much from the get go," said head coach Howie Campbell. "We really pulled ahead on the corner and put the nail in the coffin."

The two crews were tight through the start, but after passing through the Selkirk trestle, the Vikes pulled ahead after successfully navigating the corner.

It was another banner win for the UVic eight, which also won the Western Canadian championship and Canadian University title in the fall.

"It has been a really exciting season for the Vikes, especially to maintain this type of speed season-long," said Campbell.