PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (4/16/23) – The Franklin Pierce rowing program grinded-out a series of quality finishes from both their Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ boats at the tow-day Knecht Cup Regatta in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
On Saturday afternoon, the Ravens' Varsity 4+ began day with a fifth-overall finish in the third heat of the Women's Club Four race, finishing behind winner Central Oklahoma (8:13.93), Seattle Pacific (8:24.59), Thomas Jefferson (8:34.75) and D'Youville (8:42.59). However, their Ravens' finishing time of 9:06.58 was good enough to beat out last-place finisher Mercyhurst (9:33.56), advancing the V4+ vessel to the Sunday Petite Finals.
Later on in the opening day, the Raven Varsity 8+ boat also hit the water for a sixth-of-six finish, also in heat three of the Women's Club Eight, all against the same opponents. The Raven vessel crossed the finish line in 8:42.67, just barely missing out on advancing to the respective finals on Sunday.
Mercyhurst, Central Oklahoma and Seattle Pacific were all ranked in the top-five in NCAA Division II.
On Sunday morning, the Raven Varsity 4+ returned to the water and finished the regatta with a fourth-overall finish in the Petite final, beating out the Pittsburgh “B” (8:49.21) and New Hampshire “B” (9:18.21) boats with a 8:46.21 race time. The fourth place finish was also good for tenth altogether in the event, as the boat shaved 00:20 off their qualifying time from Saturday.
Franklin Pierce V8+ Lineup (D1- 8:42.67)
Coxswain - Helen Curley-Swannie (Longmeadow, Mass.)
#8 Stroke - Meg Shawver (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)
#7 - Alexis Massey (Deep River, Conn.)
#6 - Tessa Berry (Andover, Mass.)
#5 - Hannah LaGrassa (Baldwinville, Mass.)
#4 - Hannah May (Pembroke, N.H.)
#3 - Marisa Salinas (Manchester, Conn.)
#2 - Maura Joseph (Holyoke, Mass.)
#1 - Jenna Parent (Tyngsboro, Mass.)
Franklin Pierce V4+ Lineup (D1- 9:06.58 | D2- 8:46.31)
Coxswain - Helen Curley-Swannie
#4 – Maura Joseph
#3 - Alexis Massey
#2 - Tessa Berry
#1 - Hannah LaGrassa
Pierce rowing will have a couple of weeks off before returning to action at the Riverhawk Challenge, hosted by UMASS-Lowell on Saturday, April 29th for the first of two remaining regattas.
