The Sacred Heart University rowing team finished sixth overall in the Grand Finals at the Knecht Cup, according to an April 14 announcement. The event took place in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, after Saturday’s races were canceled and a condensed schedule was held on Sunday.
The result is significant for the Pioneers as it marks a strong start to their season and demonstrates their ability to adapt to changing conditions. The team’s performance also positions them well within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
In the competition, Sacred Heart’s fourth varsity four placed third in their heat with a time of 8:10.68. The second varsity eight faced challenging winds at the start line but managed to recover and finish fourth in their heat with a time of 7:15.82. The varsity eight secured second place in their heat with a time of 6:45.94, qualifying for the final where they competed against last year’s MAAC champions, Jacksonville. In very windy conditions during the Grand Final, Sacred Heart finished sixth with a time of 7:00.28, just over three seconds behind Jacksonville.
“After a long training block, I am happy with the way our Pios raced on our opening day,” said Head Coach Luke Wilhelm. “Every boat we launched raced aggressively and performed well. We have a lot of work to do to put out full race plans, but I think the initial jumping-off point is exciting. These athletes love to race! Cheer us on this weekend in Worcester!”
The Pioneers are scheduled to compete next at the Holy Cross Invitational on April 20.
