April 12, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - The men's novice 8 boat advanced to the grand final of its race at the Knecht Cup on Saturday to lead the Explorers.

The men finished fourth in the grand final with a time of 7:08.6. They advanced via two preliminary rounds. Their time in the first prelim was 6:48.5 for fourth place in heat two followed by a third place showing in the semifinal heat 2 with a 6:38.8 mark.

The men's varsity pair also advanced out of the preliminary round as they took sixth in their heat in the semifinal. They crossed the finish line in 8:34.1 following a 7:53.3 appearance in the prelim.

Also rowing on the Cooper River were the men's varsity four, women's varsity 8 and women's novice 8 boats.

The men's varsity four finished in 7:30.2 for fifth in their heat.

On the women's side, the varsity 8's also finished fifth in their heat with an 8:00.4 while the novices also finished fifth in their heat with an 8:32.0.

The Explorer rowers return to action next Saturday (4/18) when the women head to the Atlantic 10 Championship while the men head to the Kerr Cup.