Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Cherry Hill Invitational
Bison Rowers Continue Ascent at Cherry Hill Invitational
4/22/2018 8:07:00 PM | Women's Rowing
CHERRY HILL, N.J. -- The Bucknell rowing team sent a season-high seven boats out on the Cooper River for the Cherry Hill Invitational, and the team continued its weekly improvement with the countdown to the Patriot League Championships inside 20 days. Each of Bucknell's varsity entries qualified for Grand Finals, led by the varsity eight with a strong third-place finish in an 11-team field.
The varsity eight covered the 2,000-meter course in a season-best 6:50.28. The Bison finished behind only Rutgers (6:38.76) and SMU (6:46.52). Georgetown (6:53.46) was about three seconds behind Bucknell, followed by Jacksonville (6:56.43) and MIT (7:00.53). Connecticut, Fordham, Marist, Lehigh and Holy Cross competed in the Petite Final.
"The team has been working really hard these past few weeks to prepare for this race, and it's exciting to see all that hard work pay off," said junior Emily Gabriel, who rowed in the six seat in the varsity eight. "It was amazing to see everyone out pushing for each other and leaving it all on the race course. These women inspire me everyday to work harder and get faster, and this weekend is a prime example of everyone's hard work and dedication paying off. We are all excited about the results, but I know we are hungry for more."
The second varsity eight was sixth in a time of 7:07.47, finishing behind Rutgers, UConn, SMU, Fordham and Lehigh. Bucknell's third varsity eight finished behind Rutgers and Connecticut in a three-team race.
For the first time in spring competition, Bucknell had fours on the water. The varsity four placed fourth in the Grand Final in 7:59.11, trailing only Rutgers (7:42.58), UConn (7:54.98) and Jacksonville (7:56.97). The Bison nosed out SMU by a mere .52 seconds for the No. 4 spot, while Holy Cross took sixth in 8:01.78. Lehigh, Georgetown, Fordham and Marist were relegated to the Petite Final. Bucknell's second varsity four also made the Grand Final and finished fifth.
The Bison also had a pair of freshman eights in action. Bucknell's entries finished third and fourth behind Rutgers and Fordham. The Bison novice "A" entry posted a time of 8:08.53.
"We had six eights worth of women on the water this weekend, and it was great to see progress in boats across the board," said head coach Stephen Kish. "The team is hungry and all-in for these final three weeks of regular season."
BISON CREWS
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