Oct. 22, 2005

Boston< Mass. - The Mercyhurst Rowing team competed at the 41st annual Head of the Charles regatta in Boston, MA over the weekend. In what is the largest rowing event in the world with over 300,000 spectators, the Lakers competed in the women's collegiate four and the men's collegiate eight.

Despite the wind, cold and rain the teams did not disappoint with strong performances from both crews. The women's four started in 15th place and moved up seven places to finish 8th place overall in 20:46, sixty two seconds behind winner Florida Tech.

The men's eight started 14th (last year's finishing place), in a very competitive field of 43 teams. After a very strong start that saw them close the gap on the University of Texas, they found themselves 7th overall at the first check point. They lost some of their rhythm and slipped a few spots over the latter part of the course. The Lakers finished the course in 16:31, behind winner, Trinity College in 15:58. Overall the Lakers took 12th place out of 43 crews.

The Lakers will close the fall season next weekend at the Head of the Elk in Elkhart, Ind.