CAMDEN, N.J. –The Scarlet Knights’ first varsity, second varsity and novice eights all advanced to Saturday’s finals at the Knecht Cup on the Cooper River, Saturday, April 11. 

The first varsity eight’s strong performance in Friday’s heats and semi-finals earned them a spot in the second level final Saturday afternoon. Finishing 2.2 seconds off of George Mason (7:20.0), the Scarlet Knights (7:22.3) secured second place by out-pacing UMass (7:24.2), BC (7:26.0) UConn (7:29.6) and Tulsa (7:44.4).

"The team raced with a lot of confidence today and it showed with their strong starts. I am looking forward to next week’s racing," said head coach Max Borghard.

Rutgers finished an impressive third overall in the second varsity eight grand final. Fighting a steady headwind, the Knights clocked a 7:27.7 to defeat Wisconsin (lwt) (7:30.0), UMass (7:31.8) and George Mason (7:45.4). URI (7:17.0) and Buffalo (7:20.6) took first and second.

“The 2V has been improving steadily with each week of practice and each race weekend,” commented Borghard. “The opportunity to race three times in two days – heats, semis and finals – benefited all our boats. The 2V especially learned from each time down the course and hit a great stride in the final.”   

The Rutgers novice eight also qualified for their grand final  on Saturday and finished sixth overall.Rutgers will return to action on Saturday, April 18, racing for the Raritan Cup and the Class of '89 Plate against the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell, in Philadelphia, Pa.