Pittsburgh – The Mercyhurst women's rowing team put on a strong showing this weekend at the Yinzer Cup, with their Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ crews securing top finishes. 

In the Varsity 8+ event, the Lakers' top boat rowed by Thea Felsner, Tabea Wieland, Charlotte Paschke, Katie Kontrick, Maryclare Parker-Stark, Nayila Harris, Hilde Wadlington, Cecilia Linkel, and coxswained by Ava Duarte finished in 16:11.2. That time earned them a third-place finish overall, just behind RMU and the leading crew from CU. The Lakers V8 managed to hold off a fast-charging CU V8 boat by a narrow margin of just over two seconds. 

The Lakers Varsity 4+ crews also turned in impressive results. The MU V4+ A boat , was in tight contention for the top spot. Coxswained by Duarte and rowed by Meredith Fastinger, Jordane Hynes, Erica Schneiderman, and Ella Luther placed second overall finishing in 13:18.5, less than two seconds behind RMU's A boat. 

Mercyhurst's V4+ B boat clocked in at 14:57.5, rounding out the day with a solid performance in the middle of a crowded field. While not in medal position, the crew that included Madie Taylor, Amelia Stone, Paschke, Parker-Stark, and Linkel stayed composed and competitive against multiple UT and RMU entries.

Overall, it was a strong day of racing for the Lakers with top-three finishes in both the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ A events.

They will travel to Boston to race in the Head of the Charles next week, Oct. 18.