Complete Results

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.  -- At the NCAA East Regional, the Mercyhurst College women's varsity four, men's novice four and varsity eight each claimed the top spot in their races.

With strong headwinds and choppy conditions throughout, the women's varsity four won defeated a field of UMass-Lowell, Philadelphia and Franklin & Marshall by over 30 seconds while the men's novice four also crossed the finish line over 30 seconds faster than its opponents.  In the men's varsity eight, the Lakers continued the dominance with a 15-second advantage over the field.

The nationally-ranked women's varsity eight took third behind regionally and nationally-ranked Philadelphia.  Mercyhurst, ranked first in the NCAA East region varsity eight in the latest poll, was without two regular members of the crew, including stroke Amanda Carlyon.  

"Losing Amanda in the eight really hurt us and changed the rhythm of the boat," said head coach Adrian Spracklen.  "I tried to compensate by altering the lineup, but it obviously didn't work. It's a step back for us
that we need to respond quickly back from if we want to get back to the NCAA's."

The loss should not figure into the next NCAA rankings since member of the varsity four also raced in the varsity eight race.  However, this was the first time the Lakers had competed in the varsity four and could bolster Mercyhurst higher in the team rankings with the gold-medal finish.