April 14, 2008

Photo Gallery 

Camden, N.J. - The Mercyhurst men's and women's rowing teams completed a strong showing at the Knecht Cup by winning two events and placing second in another. The men's lightweight four and the men's varsity four each won their events, while the men's lightweight eight finished second.

The men's lightweight four entered the grand final as the favorite after posting the best time of 17 boats in the preliminary heats. The Lakers did not disappoint, posting a time of 6:53.5 to beat Fairfield by more than five seconds. Washington College ended third, followed by George Mason, Lafayette and Virginia Tech.

The men's varsity four, on the other hand, was not the favorite after finishing second in its heat Saturday behind Philadelphia University in the Division II/III race. But the Lakers improved by more than nine seconds to 6:59.0 and edged Hobart by just over three seconds. Geneseo was third, followed by Philadelphia, New York Maritime and Susquehanna.

In the men's lightweight eight, Fordham was strong, winning the race with a time of 5:56.6. Mercyhurst placed second in 6:09.7, just over three seconds in front of Pittsburgh. Virginia Tech was fourth, followed by Lafayette and Penn State.

The only women's crew to compete on Sunday was the club eight in the Division I/II race and the Lakers placed a solid third. Dowling won with a time of 6:52.7 and Philadelphia was second in an even 7:00.0. Mercyhurst placed third at 7:05.0, followed by Lafayette and Virginia Tech.

The women's rowing team is scheduled to host Eastern Michigan Saturday at 4 p.m. at Findley Lake and the men are off until competing in the Mid-American Collegiate Rowing Association (MACRA) Regatta May 3 in Athens, Ohio.

KNECHT CUP
MERCYHURST FINALS RESULTS

MEN
Lightweight four - 1. Mercyhurst 6:53.5; 2. Fairfield 6:58.9; 3. Washington College 6:59.5; 4. George Mason 7:02.9; 5. Lafayette 7:06.5; 6. Virginia Tech 7:17.5
Varsity four (Division II/III) - 1. Mercyhurst 6:59.0; 2. Hobart 7:02.2; 3. Geneseo 7:08.6; 4. Philadelphia 7:24.7; 5. New York Maritime 7:26.2; 6. Susquehanna 7:47.0
Lightweight eight - 1. Fordham 5:56.6; 2. Mercyhurst 6:09.7; 3. Pittsburgh 6:13.0; 4. Virginia Tech 6:35.5; 5. Lafayette 6:39.8; 6. Penn State 6:45.3

WOMEN
Club eight (Division I/II) - 1. Dowling 6:52.7; 2. Philadelphia 7:00.0; 3. Mercyhurst 7:05.0; 4. Lafayette 7:06.8; 5. Virginia Tech 7:53.4