BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. – Saint Joseph's Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 8 picked up wins for the Hawks' women's rowing team on Saturday as it hosted UMass, Manhattan, Rhode Island, George Washington and UConn at Overpeck Park. 

"It was a great weekend of racing.  A huge thank you to NY Rowing Association for their hospitality in allowing us to host the race on their awesome course," said Saint Joseph's Head Coach Gerry Quinlan. "We are in a great place right now as a team and are looking forward to the rest of the season . We're always appreciative of the opportunity to race and the A-10 Championships are shaping up to be a barn burner."

How It Happened
Morning Races vs. UMass and Manhattan
• The day opened with double dual format, with winners morning races and next fastest time facing off in the afternoon.
• Saint Joseph's started the morning with a great battle in the Varsity 8 as the Hawks' boat of c-Shannon Mulgrew, 8-Shane Devine, 7-Allison Ruck, 6-Aislinn O'Brien, 5-Corinne O'Neill, 4-Carly Bachinsky, 3-Catie Moffett, 2-Julia Ianieri, 1-Riley McDade led the Minutewomen at the 500m bow to stern and held off a strong close by UMass to win in a time of 6:49.5.
• The Saint Joseph's Second Varsity 8 of C-Alexa Romanella , 8-Molly Duncan, 7-Teresa Crosby, 6-Morgan Sherman, 5-Steph McKenna, 4-Catherine McGonigle, 3-Haley Hukari, 2-Anna Martin, 1-Michaela Mulkerrins had a great tussle on their hands as well with UMass as the two boats traded the lead several times in the last 500m as the Minutewomen edged the Hawks, 7:01.8 to 7:03.7.
• In the morning's final contest, Saint Joseph's Varsity 4 had its best weekend to date, as the boat of c-Sarah Vest , 4-Madelyn Williams, 3-Allie D'Andrea, 2-Ashley Radell, 1-Raquel Lam finished in the middle of the pack in a time of 8:17.1.

Afternoon Races vs. Rhode Island, George Washington, UConn and Manhattan
• In a hard-fought race, the Hawks' Varsity 8 battled Rhode Island and George Washington, with the Rams pacing the race and Colonials besting SJU by less than two seats at the finish.
•  "We learned a lot from racing today and have gained on GW since our race two weeks ago. We are very excited about our current trajectory," said Quinlan of the Varsity 8.
• The Second Varsity 8 took control of its race in the second 250m and never looked back, winning in a time of 7:05.6.
• "We have been in such close races this year and are learning more and more about racing as we check off the weeks.  We are really excited about where this boat will go," Quinlan remarked about the Second Varsity 8.
• The Varsity 4 finished the day with poise after falling behind early, the boat of c-Anna Gambescia, 4-Madelyn Williams, 3-Allie D'Andrea, 2-Ashley Radell, 1-Brooke Freund placed second in its race in a time of 8:18.0.
• "We have made so many improvements this week.  All we need is more and more race experience and this will be a very competitive boat," said Quinlan of the Varsity 4.

Race Results
Varsity 8 
Saint Joseph's 6:49.5 
UMass 6:50.8 
Manhattan 7:28.3 

Second Varsity 8 
UMass 7:01.8 
Saint Joseph's 7:03.7 
Manhattan 7:34.2 

Varsity 4 
UMass 7:57.8 
Saint Joseph's 8:17.1 
Manhattan 8:56.6 

Varsity 8 
Rhode Island 6:42.0 
George Washington 6:48.9 
Saint Joseph's 6:49.5

Second Varsity 8 
Saint Joseph's 7:05.6 
UConn 7:14.1 
Manhattan 7:39.6 

Varsity 4 
UConn 8:09.1 
Saint Joseph's 8:18.0 
Manhattan 9:00.1

Up Next
The Hawks return to action at the Jesuit Invitational on Saturday.

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