On Saturday, March 28, the Fordham rowing squad opened its spring season, despite the imperfect weather conditions. The team competed at the 2015 Murphy Cup on the Cooper River. The Rams’ next meet was on April 2, against Iona College at the Orchard Beach Lagoon, where both the varsity 8 and junior varsity 8 won their races.
Then, this past weekend, April 11-12, the team competed in the 2015 Knecht Cup at Mercer Lake. These first three meets have proven to be successful for Fordham’s strong rowing team.
For their first meet of the season, the Fordham Rams entered a boat in the varsity 4, the first varsity 8, and the second varsity 8 races. The varsity 4 placed fourth in its heat, while the second varsity 8 finished fifth in its race.
The first varsity 8 won its heat with a time of 6:57.10. This advanced them to the grand final, where they ended with a fifth place finish.
The Rams’ last meet before Easter break was against Iona College. Unfortunately, the varsity 4 race was canceled due to strong winds. The varsity 8 and junior varsity 8 races were both able to proceed. Fordham’s junior varsity 8 came in first place, beating Iona to the finish. The varsity 8 easily came in first place, with a course time of 8:14.7, which was more than 30 seconds ahead of the Iona Gaels.
This was a successful weekend for the Rams, and a great way to end before Easter break.
The team’s most recent race was at the Knecht Cup this past weekend in New Jersey. Fordham’s varsity 4 entry placed seventh in its heat in the regatta. The second varsity 8 finished fifth in its heat, qualifying for the semifinals, in which the Rams came in sixth. This allowed them to move on to the third final, where they took fifth place. The first varsity 8 began the regatta with a third place finish, following Central Florida and Boston University.
Then, in the semifinals, which were moved to Sunday morning due to the weather, the Rams came in sixth place. This again qualified them for the grand final. In the end, the varsity 8 finished in fourth place.
These past few races prove how far hard work and dedication can take a team, and these Rams are not going to stop practicing. With about half the season left, they still have many meets ahead of them.
The women’s rowing team will be competing next in the Kerr Cup on April 18 at the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
