May 10, 2008

Philadelphia, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's and women's rowing teams set themselves up for a big final day as four of the team's five boats advanced to the semifinals at the Dad Vail Regatta. Three of the boats won their preliminary heat at the largest collegiate rowing regatta in the country on the Schuylkill River.

Mercyhurst's men's varsity pair won its heat with a time of 7:01.390 and had the top time of any of the six heats. The men's lightweight four, which entered as the No. 1 seed, posted a time of 6:26.600 to win its heat. The crew had the second best time of all heats.

The men's varsity four also won its heat with a time of 6:49.694 to advance to the semifinals. The women's varsity eight, ranked No. 3 in the country in Division II, placed third in its heat with a time of 6:56.134 to narrowly advance to the semifinals in the Division II/III race. Finally, the women's varsity four failed to move on to the semifinals with a fourth place finish in 7:59.100.

The semifinals and finals will take place Saturday.