Crew Nabs First Varsity Victory

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall's women's w picked up its first victory over a varsity opponent since the Diplomats' program acquired varsity status last year. The Diplomats defeated Centennial Conference rival, Bryn Mawr, on the Schuykill River at Conshohocken.

F&M women took the lead from the start and extended the 12-second margin they enjoyed at the halfway post for the remainder of the 1500-meter upstream course. The Diplomats finished in 6:04 with no time being recorded for Bryn Mawr.

The teams last raced at the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Division III Championships. Bryn Mawr beat F&M by 17 seconds in that meeting.

The women's races earlier in the day saw the Diplomat rowers defeat Richard Stockton in a preliminary heat by a margin of at least 20 seconds finishing, in 6:02. Bryn Mawr's varsity women's eight beat Haverford handily, setting up the final race between the Owls and the Diplomats.

Crew members from bow to the coxswain seat were Caitlin Knierim, Kate Emert, Sarah Clark, Chelsea McIntyre, Alexandra Merrick, Erin Bradley, Rebecca Weast, stroke Brittany George and coxswain Jan Heddens.

The Diplomats return to action next week at the Mid-Atlantic Division III Championships at Gifford-Pinchot State Park in York.