Warriors Win Varsity 4+ At the Northeast Cup; Four Warriors Honored In Awards Ceremony
WORCESTER, MA - The Merrimack College Women's Crew team joined fellow NE-10 schools UMass Lowell, Assumption College and Franklin Pierce on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester today for the first annual Cup Race celebrating the rowing schools from the NE-10.
The Warrior's Varsity 4 of Coxswain Karissa Finnigan (Medford, Mass.), Jessie Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.), Kaylee McKenna (Georgetown, Texas), Aubrey O'Neill (Pawcatuck, CT) and Lydia Staschke (Guilford, CT) won again in a close race, taking first place over Assumption College and Franklin Pierce and taking home the first ever trophy for the annual event.
The race started off close with Franklin Pierce taking the early lead through the first 250 meters. The Warriors settled well and walked through the Ravens as they finished the first 500, but were closely followed by Assumption. The race came down to the sprint in the final 250 meters with the Warrior's edging out the Greyhounds by just over three seconds with a winning time of 8:12.5.
"Last week the girls were able to make a strong move at the 1000 meter mark to pull away from the field. This week Assumption was expecting the move and answered back. They really made us work for the win."
Following the day's racing, several Warriors' were honored in a ceremony recognizing the top boats in each event as well as the top rowers from the NE-10 schools.
With only four rowing schools in the NE-10, Saturday's racing wasn't a formal Championship but the coaches got together to nominate athletes to an informal version of an all-conference team. Selected to the first team was team captain McKenna and O'Neill. Eichel and Finnigan were named to the second team.
"It was great to see the girls recognized by the other coaches today. They have been working non-stop all year for the chance to win an eight minute race in May. It takes a remarkable amount of determination and perspective to do that. They have done an excellent job of tackling each day one day at a time while keeping the end goal in sight. I am so proud if this whole team."
The Warriors will return to Lake Quinsigamond Saturday, May 4th to compete in the New England Rowing Championships and will wrap up the season May 10-11 at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.
