Diplomats Set to Compete at HOSR

LANCASTER, Pa. -- Five Franklin & Marshall crews will be competing at the 40th Anniversary Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill Regatta (HOSR) in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 30. The two-day regatta is one of the largest in the country with over 5,000 participants and over 1,100 crews. It will be the final race of the fall for the Diplomats and the first racing experience for many of the team's 40-plus novices who walked-on this semester. F&M crews will be racing in the following events:

Men's Frosh/Novice 8 (10:00)
Women's Frosh/Novice 8 (10:20)
Men's Open Club 8 (11:20)
Women's Open Club 8 (11:40).

Head races are traditional fall season races that pit crews against one another in a time trial format and are generally run over a 4,000-5,000 meter course. HOSR is just over 4,000m and requires crews to navigate through four bridges on Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. The spring season - the main collegiate rowing season - sees crews racing side-by-side over a straight 2,000m course.

"This fall has been both challenging but also very positive for our teams," said Head Coach Robert Weber.

"We recruited over 40 novice walk-ons in the first two weeks of the semester, which produced some real logistical challenges. But it's extremely encouraging for the future of the program to see such phenomenal growth. Including eight juniors studying abroad this semester, we have a combined women's and men's roster of about 60 athletes. This weekend will be fun for everyone, and I hope it will set the tone for what promises to be an exciting spring 2011 season."

More information on the regatta, including directions, parking instructions, and a complete race schedule, can be found at www.hosr.org.