VILLANOVA, Pa. – Three weeks removed from its spring-opener, Villanova gets back to action this weekend as it heads to Pennsauken, N.J. for the Knecht Cup this Saturday and Sunday.

Villanova will send three boats racing on the Cooper River during the two-day regatta. Heats and semifinals will take place on Saturday to determine spots in Sunday's grand and petite finals, also including a third final in some races.

It has been four years since Villanova competed at the Knecht Cup. The Wildcats will be one of three teams from the Colonial Athletic Association in the sizable field. They will be joined by Delaware and Drexel.

"We are excited to be racing in a large format regatta this weekend," head coach Carissa Adams said. "With over 300 crews from 55 teams across the country, this event will give us an opportunity to see a variety of teams and once again assess our current state as a team. Unfortunately, we have a few people who are out for a variety of reasons, but we still feel we will have a strong showing anyway.

"I am proud of this team for forging ahead and heading into this regatta with a positive mindset despite the hardships they have faced to this point of this season."

The regatta gets underway early Saturday morning with the first Villanova boat to hit the course being the women's varsity four group at 8:18 a.m., competing in the third heat. The women's varsity eight boat gets to action at 10:18 a.m. as it races for lanes in the semi-final in the opening heat followed by the second varsity eight at 12:22 p.m.

A complete schedule and live results can be found at the regatta's website throughout the weekend by clicking this link.
 
Villanova will race with these lineups:

VARSITY EIGHT (Sat. 10:18 a.m.)
Cox'n - Julia Ramsey
Stroke - Erin Welch
7 - Jillian de Merlier
6 - Olivia Krause
5 - Claire Barrett
4 - Sheila Joyce
3 - Kara Dempsey
2 - Mary Arnold
Bow - Madeline McCarthy
 
SECOND VARSITY EIGHT (Sat. 12:22 p.m.)
Cox'n - Mac O'Reilly
Stroke - Annie Dudrear
7 - Zoe Barnes
6 - Grace Quirk
5 - Corinne Gardner
4 - Julia Kreisl
3 - Alexandra Petrozzi
2 - Madison Burke 
Bow - Elizabeth Liedtka
 
VARSITY FOUR (Sat. 8:18 a.m.)
Cox'n - Alannah Cunningham
Stroke - Caroline Colgan
3 - Emma Lovejoy
2 - Julia Longo
Bow - Olivia Frizzell