"They rowed a national championship race," agreed Bernstein.

What was the most shocking about the loss was the almost nine-second difference between their losing margin in the Cincinnati race and their winning margin in the Sprints. "It was a pretty major change," said Marple. "I just don't think we were as aggressive as we were at the Eastern Sprints."

Looking back now, Wisconsin was not such a long shot after all. Not only had the Badgers beaten the Crimson in the heats at the Sprints (though they were creamed in the finals), but they had also beaten Harvard a couple of weeks later, at the IRA championship in Syracuse.

Not only that, but Wisconsin had a formidable history in the Men's Collegiate Nationals of their own. The Badgers' win marked the team's second national championship. And the Badgers had been the only team besides Harvard to win the prestigious national title since 1984.

But the team is not getting mad. It plans to get even.

"After a loss like that, it's very easy to get distracted," explained Bernstein. He says the team is not doing that. The rowers are out on the water twice a day again, more determined than ever to get that victory back from Wisconsin at the famous Henley Royal Regatta in England in the coming weeks.

"We could either harp on it, or see how much faster we can get," Bernstein explained. His team is choosing to do the latter, and plans to make the best of their reunion race with their new foes.

"We're looking forward to it," a determined Bernstein said, smiling. "Eagerly looking forward to it."