March 28, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - Two boats finished third in their finals and another posted a strong race despite an injury on the water as the rowing team competed at the Murphy Cup on the Schuylkill River on Saturday.

The men's varsity pair placed third in the final by posting a time of 7:52.41. They advanced to the final via a third place showing in their heat in the preliminary with a time of 8:00.27.

Also finishing third in the final was the men's novice eight boat. They clocked 6:15.14 after advancing to the final with a second place finish in their heat in the preliminary. They crossed the finish line in 6:17.29 in the first race.

The women's novice eights raced a unique race on Saturday. Although they did not advance to the final, they finished an impressive fourth after coxswain Kaitlyn Garbarino was injured when the Explorers' boat collided with Dayton's boat and she was hit by an oar. They finished the race and clocked a 7:36.43.

Also competing on Saturday was the men's varsity four and women's varsity eight. The men's squad finished fourth in their heat with a 7:05.64 and the women placed sixth in their heat with a 7:16.32.

The Explorer rowing team returns to action on April 10th when they compete in the Knecht Cup on the Cooper River in New Jersey