SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.- The Franklin & Marshall men's rowing team kicked off the spring 2026 season competing against hosts Skidmore at the 2026 Skidmore Sprints regatta. The men's Varsity 8+ lost just by one second to Skidmore, who was ranked 12th in the country for DIII. 

F&M's first Varsity 8+ lineup featured, from bow to stern, Jacob Ripperger, Peter Kutscher, Saul Schoenholtz, Max Taxter, Max Goldman, Aemon Cameron, Tai Jespersen, Moemen Ibrahim, and Mithayus Diaz as coxswain. Against two crews from Skidmore, the Diplomats claimed second place, finishing a second behind the first-place Skidmore crew in 6:17.8.

"This was a great day of early season racing for the team," said Head Coach Bob Brady. "The varsity 8+ put together an incredibly strong performance in which they got out in front, but just couldn't hold on at the end. I think they surprised a few folks today.

The second Varsity 8+ lineup, including Gordon Clifford, Harris Zhang, Kanishk Pal, Ahmed Sherif, Ziyan Tang, Zaeem Zia, Goldman, Taxter, and Diaz as the coxswain again, finished in 7:22.5 in a dual with Skidmore in the second Varsity 8+ event.

"For the men's second, it was the first time this line up had been together, and it was also the first race ever for a couple guys who are still learning what it means to be a rower. We have a lot to look forward to over the next month," said Coach Brady. 

The Diplomats are back in action for the Knecht Cup from Camden, N.J. next Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12.