SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Catholic University men's rowing team opened the 2024 spring season with two victories at the Skidmore Sprints on Saturday afternoon. The team put three boats in the water, all varsity eights. 

The Catholic varsity eight claimed a first-place finish clocking a time of 6:23.2. The boat beat out three other crews and crossed the finish line less than a second before their next closest competitor. Skidmore College placed second with a time of 6:24.7. Vassar College was next with a 6:25.5 and Stockton University rounded out the field with a 6:42.3.

The second varsity eight came away with a seven-second victory in their heat. They went a 6:50.1 to secure first while Skidmore (6:57.6) and Stockton (6:57.6) followed. The Cardinals also raced a third varsity eight in this heat. Although this boat came in last place, the crew was the only third varsity racing and executed a great race against top second varsity teams.

At this event last year, the varsity eight finished fifth in the final while the second varsity eight finished last in its heat race and did not make the final. Head Coach Katie O'Driscoll says that year's performance shows much improvement and a testament to the growing resilience of these athletes.

Catholic will take to the water again next weekend with a two-day event in Cherry Hill, NJ. The Knecht Cup will be held April 13-14. 

Boatings:
Varsity Four: Dillon George (coxswain), Alexander Canada (stroke), Alan Nicholas (3), Luis Pinero (2), Thomas Robertson (bow)

Varsity Eight: Arthur Gange (coxswain), Jack Koubek (stroke), Andrew Palmer (7), Nathan Lovell (6), David Fritz (5), Jonah Stofko (4), Jack Wright (3), Sean Morgenstern (2), Sean Farrelly (bow)

Second Varsity Eight: Matthew Blomgren (coxswain), Ryan Lewis (stroke), Charles Moran (7), Mason Zajac (6), Nicholas Martens (5), Declan Pennese (4), Bryce Wnek (3), Paul O'Conner (2), Timothy Kling (bow)