Diplomats Crews Open Spring Season
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. -- Franklin & Marshall's opened the spring season under new head coach Rob Weber on Saturday. The rowers headed into a strong current for the four heats over the 1,000-meter course on the Schuylkill.
The first two heats were with a racing start, while the other two were without a start.
The Men's Varsity 8 (Felipe Barron – cox, David Kaess – stroke, Greg Hershman, Danny Falciani, Clement Hsu, Will Riegel, Jacob Seidenberg, Sam Condon, Ho Hong Lau - bow) defeated Susquehanna with at least an eight second cushion in each of the four races.
"Our men showed great grit and determination in winning each of their pieces," said Weber. "Overall it was a good day of racing and I'm proud of our crews' efforts, particularly the women's JV8. Five members of are novices and have only been rowing for a week."
The Junior Varsity 8 (Laura Morse – cox, Debra Gladwin – stroke, Allison Ercolano, Seymone Killins, Olivia Hill, Emilia Harband, Roni Setton, Laura Blasi, Sabrina Brown - bow) split with Bryn Mawr, taking the second and fourth heats.
"The varsity women gave a good effort. I think fatigue might have been a factor for them, just coming off of a training camp where we held three training sessions a day, but the Byrn Mawr crew they raced against quite simply out-rowed us today."
Bryn Mawr won all four heats with a ten second cushion, while the Diplomats Varsity 8 (Jan Heddens – cox, Brittany George – stroke, Morgan Burgess, Caitlin Knierim, Alex Merrick, Kate Emert, Katie Winfree, Haley Post, Emma Cedar - bow) were well in front of Susquehanna in all four races.
"It was a good start to the season. We know what needs to be improved as we head into the meat of our racing schedule."
The Diplomats return to action next weekend against Lehigh, Lafayette and Penn State.