Sunday, April 25, 1971 was the both the date of the first race for the fledgling team and also the first regatta ever held in the state of Nebraska.  The team held the regatta at Capitol Beach.  Washburn University traveled north from Kansas to face off against the Huskers.  The men had only practiced on the water for about four weeks at the time of the race, and had two months of strength and cardio training off the water.  Coach Brush was confident in this conditioning, saying in an interview before the race, "They are exceptionally strong, since I had them working out on weights all winter" (Allan, 1971).  Despite this relative lack of experience, the Huskers were determined to compete and test their skills against another team.  That day only about 20 curious spectators showed up to watch the events unfold at Capitol Beach, and though the Huskers lost the race, considering their lack of experience they did not lose by much.  Most importantly, their first competition was over and they were on their way to success.

Following this race, Nebraska Crew began a whirlwind tour to three other regattas in just a month's time.  Beginning on May 1st, they traveled to Manhattan, Kansas to compete against Kansas State, the University of Minnesota, and Washburn University.  This marked the second milestone in as many weeks, as two Big 8 schools first faced off against one another in a rowing competition.  On May 8th they competed against Minnesota again, along with St. Thomas, and Notre Dame in Minneapolis.  May 22nd found the team competing in Kansas City in the Heart of America Regatta against Kansas State and Washburn yet again(York, 1971).