CHESTERTOWN, Md. - The Catholic University men's rowing team finished first in the second varsity eight at the Washington College Invitational Saturday while the varsity four finished fourth.

"There were no novice events at this regatta so we raced in categories with boats who have at least a year and a half or more of racing experience versus our six months," said head coach Katie O'Driscoll. "I was really excited to see them rise to the challenge!"

The second varsity eight, coxed by Libby Hodgkins and stroked by sophomore Matthew Toppi, finished crossed the line first with a time of 6:04.14. Division I Villanova was second in 6:23.34 while Washington College finished third with a time of 6:25.18.

Hodgkins coxed the Cardinals' novice four to a seventh place finish out of 12 teams at the Head of the Occoquan on Nov. 3 while Toppi stroked Catholic to a fifth place finish out of 15 in the novice eight.

The Cardinals' varsity four finished fourth behind Franklin & Marshall, Villanova and Washington College A. Washington College B was fifth. However, times were not available.

For a full list of results from the Washington College Invitational, click here.

Catholic returns to action April 13-14 at the Knecht Cup on the Cooper River in Cherry Hill N.J.

Second Varsity Eight
Coxswain: Libby Hodgkins, Stroke: Matthew Toppi, 7: Declan Waters, 6: Jack Shields, 5: Mike Phillips, 4: Benjamin Oursler, 3: Jack Holcomb, 2: Matt Greenburg, Bow: Paul Meany

Varsity Four
Coxswain: Christian Bordak-Roseman, Stroke: Jack Rowing, 3: Mario Echevarria, 2: Matt Meade, Bow: Dino Verci Vitti