Conshohocken, Pa. – Villanova rowing opened their season on Friday morning against the University of Delaware.  The Wildcats won all three races against the Blue Hens.  The varsity four boat was scheduled to kick off the race at 10:00 A.M. but was delay until later due to increased winds and whitecapping conditions. 

The second Varsity Eight was the first race after the conditioned improved, and the Wildcats put on a strong show throughout the race.  Villanova had two boats compete in the race with the second Varsity Eight boat finishing first with a time of 7:15.8. Delaware came in second with a time of 7:21.2, and Villanova's third Varsity Eight boat came in third with a time of 7:45.6.

Villanova's second varsity eight team was Madeline McCarthy, Caroline Colgan, Olivia Krause, Alexandra Petrozzi, Sydney Stepovich, Madison Burke, and Muriel Thomas Clapp.  Head coach Carissa Adams shared, "This boat line-up clicked this week, and it has been fun to watch them progress each practice. The culmination of their hard work and determination was on display this morning, helping them come out on top." 

Adam's shared about the third varsity eight boat, "it was a great opportunity for this group to get a race under their belt and prepare for next weekend's race, The Kerr Cup."  This boat consisted of Sophia Pegg, Sofia Lopez, Elizabeth Liedtka, Kelly Carney, Jadyn Ramos, Emma Lovejoy, Fiona Fennessey, Caroline Shea, and Abby Burns.

The varsity eight race took place next, and the Wildcats finished first again with a time of 7:10.8.  Delaware came in second with a time of 7:12.8.  Villanova's varsity eight boat was Claire Humphrey, Holly Hubbard, Kaitlin Urbanik, Amanda Miller, Cecilia Spesia, Mary Arnold, Claire Barrett, Greta Horgan, and Julia Ramsey. 

"This boat did a great job of staying composed and remaining strong through the entire race," said Adams.

The varsity four race closed out the dual and was the most exciting of the day.  Villanova was able to pull ahead in the final 250 meters to win with a time of 8:25.6. The Blue Hen's finished in 8:26.5. 

 Villanova's varsity four boat was Tallulah Laska, Annie Dudrear, Kara Dempsey, Claire Kotwicki, and Mac O'Reilly. 

"We had a fantastic day," said Adams.  "We also successfully hosting our first race on our newly developed home course. Every athlete on the team showed up and rowed with their heart today.  I felt we handled the conditions well and stayed composed.  The energy was high from start to finish."

Next the Wildcats will head to the Kerr Cup in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 17^th.