April 26, 2008

Philadelphia, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's varsity four won its second consecutive championship, defeating Philadelphia University and Villanova at the NCAA Division II East Regional Invitational Saturday in Philadelphia. The women's varsity eight finished second behind just the top ranked team in Division II.

The men's varsity four crew was almost 11 seconds faster than two weeks ago when it won the Division II/III championship at the Knecht Cup, rowing a 6:48.23 to win in easy fashion. Mercyhurst's B team finished second with a time of 7:02.73, followed by Philadelphia at 7:38.83 and Villanova at 7:43.55.

The women's varsity eight competition featured three of the top five ranked teams in Division II. Mercyhurst, ranked No. 5, finished in 6:50.48, more than six seconds ahead of No. 3 Philadelphia at 6:56.89. Dowling, the top ranked crew in the country, won the event in 6:43.93. Franklin Pierce was last at 7:24.66.

The women's varsity four team finished in fourth out of five with a time of 8:16.20. Philadelphia won in 7:50.61 and Philadelphia's B team was second at 7:59.68. Dowling placed third in a time of 8:02.26, while Franklin Pierce ended fifth in 8:21.00.

The rowing teams will compete next in the Mid-America College Rowing Association (MACRA) Regatta in Athens, Ohio Saturday.