OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The Mercyhurst University women's rowing team had two boats advance to the Grand Finals at the SIRA Regatta after their performances on Saturday. However, both boats came up short in the race for gold on Sunday.

The varsity four boat, which included Holly Ansaldi, Kate Moran, Pia Frascatore, Mariead Manke, and Kristine Wright, finished in fifth in the final on Sunday, coming in with a time of 7:55.95. Nova Southeastern took gold, finishing the race in 7:31.70. The Lakers finished ahead of California-San Diego by nearly ten seconds to avoid coming in last.

The varsity eight boat, however, was not so fortunate, finishing sixth in the six-team race. The boat, consisting of Lindsey Crosby, Amanda Carlyon, Jaimee Lampard, Leyla Dombrowski, Jessica Olson, Jordan Herbert, Amanda Primett, Arden Gill, and Michelle Denninger, finished with a time of 6:51.23, eight seconds behind Nova Southeastern. Grand Valley won the race with a time of 6:32.20.

"This regatta was a great indicator of where we are at this point in the season," said head coach Adrian Spracklen. "Our goals never change, however we need to re-focus. We have three weeks to prepare for the Dad Vail and we're going to need every day of it. This weekend was a lot like a boxing match, we got knocked down, but we've got to get back up and keep fighting."

Mercyhurst will be at the MACRA Regatta in Grand Rapids, Michigan next Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29.