April 13, 2008

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (Cooper River) - Bucknell's varsity eight added to its list of accomplishments on Sunday when it won the Knecht Cup on the Cooper River. The Bison, who had won their heat and semifinal races on Saturday, took the title over second-place Buffalo.

"It was mentally challenging for the varsity eight to prepare for this event," remarked Bucknell head coach following Sunday's title. "The women did a good job approaching it and executing throughout the weekend."

The Bison finished in 6:34.03, while Buffalo was second in 6:42.69. Bucknell's time was more than eight seconds better than either of its showings on Saturday. The final four teams were separated by less than 10 seconds in the final results.

The Bison varsity eight got a chance to face Buffalo for the first time this year. The two teams met on April 5 in the first home meet of the season for the Bison, but the varsity eights did not compete.

Rhode Island, the Wisconsin lightweight eight, Connecticut and Massachusetts rounded out the six-boat grand final.

Bucknell will have its final tune-up before the Patriot League Championships this Saturday, April 19, when it hosts West Virginia on the Susquehanna River in Shamokin Dam, Pa.

Varsity Eight Results
Saturday Heat
1. Bucknell - 6:42.8
2. Fordham - 6:55.4
3. Holy Cross - 6:59.5
4. Boston College - 7:02.9
5. West Virginia - 7:12.6
6. Sacred Heart - 8:04.4

Saturday Semifinal
1. Bucknell - 6:46.3
2. UConn - 6:55.5
3. Drexel - 6:59.8
4. Colgate - 7:04.6
5. Tulsa - 7:19.3
6. West Virginia - 7:32.1

Sunday Grand Final
1. Bucknell - 6:34.03
2. Buffalo - 6:42.69
3. Rhode Island - 6:46.33
4. Wisconsin (LW8) - 6:47.23
5. UConn - 6:53.13
6. UMass - 6:55.43

Boat Lineup
Jeweliet Yost (coxswain)
Jennie Trayes (8)
Sophie Bird (7)
Katherine Brewster-Duffy (6)
Page Kannor (5)
Victoria Dudley (4)
Carol Schoenecker (3)
Caitlin Doolin (2)
Whittney Henry (1)