MERCER LAKE, N.J. – The Fairfield University rowing teams competed in the Knecht Cup at Mercer Lake this afternoon, the first day of the two-day event. The women's varsity 4 the women's novice 4, and the men's frosh/novice 4 advanced to the semifinals on Sunday while the men's varsity 4 advanced to the finals also on Sunday.
The men's varsity 4 placed third in its heat in what was one of the closest races of the day. Bowdoin won the heat with a time of 7:02.80 followed by Army (7:05.58) and Fairfield (7:05.83). The Fairfield lineup consisted of Wil Quentin, Lars Erickson, John Imor, Casey Fuller, and coxswain Matt Marshall.
The women's varsity 4 started things off for the Stags by taking fourth place in their heat with a time of 8:28.38. Tulsa won the heat in 7:42.08 followed by North Carolina (7:46.50) and Bucknell (7:50.30). The Fairfield entry included Tiffany Iannucci, Melissa Iannucci, Jackie Ozylowski, Chloe Scherpa, and coxswain Katie Unfried
The women's novice 4 won its heat by five seconds, crossing the finish line in 8:32.19. The Stags edged out the Merchant Marine Academy (8:37.17) to capture the heat. The Stags' crew was comprised by Claire Lavelle, Mallory Burlington, Nicole Chrysler, Laura Miles, and coxswain Laura Mason.
The men's frosh/novice 4 picked up fourth place in its heat, a race won by Rhode Island in 7:52.43. Bucknell (8:06.91) and Pittsburgh (8:13.26) also edged out the Stags in the heat as Fairfield posted a time of 8:30.19. Dario Salati, Chris Lamberti, Nick Ryan, Matt Daza and coxswain Justin Elderton donned the Fairfield colors in this event.
In other action, the women's second varsity 4 second a fifth-place finish in its heat by posting a time of 8:15.80. Connecticut's A boat secured the top spot (8:04.74) with Delaware being next in line (8:10.66). Dani McKenna, Bri Mullaney, Colleen Sheridan, Amanda McKenna, and coxswain Leanne Anderson represented Fairfield in the heat.
The women's varsity 8 secured a fifth-place finish in its heat with Temple (6:52.26), Bucknell (6:51.19) and North Carolina (6:59.89) filling out the top three spots. The Stags were represented by Ani Dennen, Laura Miles, Kelsey Carthew, Bri Mullaney, Dani McKenna, Mallory Burlington, Claire Lavelle, Tina Chalastra, and coxswain Leanne Anderson.
The men's varsity 8 took home sixth place in its heat, a race won by St. Joseph's (6:00.69) followed by Temple LWT (6:06.92) and Delaware (6:09.66). The Stags navigated the course in 6:32.20 behind the efforts of Mike Clarkson, Greg Coppola, Casey Fuller, John Imor, Lars Erickson, Will Quentin, James Marshall, Seamus O'Brien, and coxswain Tim Valente.
The Knecht Cup will continue on Sunday morning with the first race slated for 7 am.
