Rochester, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst College men’s and women’s rowing teams opened the 2008-09 season at the Head of the Genesee Regatta Sunday. In the unique event, results are calculated based on the combined times of a three-mile morning race and a 1,500 meter afternoon sprint race.
The men’s varsity four finished seventh in the combined open/collegiate competition but was third among collegiate crews to medal. The team had a time of 18:55.07 in the morning run and a spring time of 5:18.47 to finish behind Rochester Institute of Technology and St. Lawrence.
The men’s varsity eight placed 12th out of 23 boats but failed to medal among collegiate teams. The crew had a time of 16:09.09 in the three-mile race and a 4:40.50 sprint time to finish fifth among the 13 collegiate teams. Ithaca won the event, followed by Marietta.
In women’s action, the varsity four placed eighth overall with a morning time of 22:46.80 and an afternoon time of 6:38.10. RIT was the collegiate champion, followed by Hiawatha and D’Youville.
In the women’s varsity eight race, the Lakers finished ninth out of 21 crews and second among collegiate boats to medal. The team had a time of 18:22.60 in the morning and 5:23.06 in the afternoon sprint race. Ithaca College won the collegiate event and the Lakers finished just in front of Marietta.
The rowing teams will next compete at the Head of the Charles Regatta Sunday in Boston, Mass.
HEAD OF THE GENESEE
10/12/08 RESULTS
Collegiate Races (Total time of 3-mile and weighted sprint races)
Men’s 4 – 1. RIT 34:11.77; 2. St. Lawrence 34:25.03; 3. Mercyhurst 34:50.48; 4. Hiawatha 35:58.57
Men’s 8 – 1. Ithaca 29:26.75; 2. Marietta 29:40.88; 3. Hobart 29:59.15; 4. RIT 30:02.59; 5. Mercyhurst 30:10.59
Women’s 4 – 1. RIT 38:41.12; 2. Hiawatha 39:09.44; 3. D’Youville 41:54.68; 4. Mercyhurst 42:41.10
Women’s 8 – 1. Ithaca 33:24.57; 2. Mercyhurst 34:31.78; 3. Marietta 34:48.56