Cherry Hill, N.J. – No. 1 Harvard-Radcliffe Lightweight Rowing opened competition at the annual Knecht Cup Regatta with a strong showing, capturing multiple race victories on day one. The Black and White delivered standout performances in the Women's Double, Lightweight Four, Lightweight Eight, Second Varsity Eight, and Varsity Eight.
With the results, the Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight advanced to the semifinal round, while the Women's Double, Lightweight Four, and Lightweight Eight secured automatic berths in their respective finals. With a strong performance, the Novice Four also earned a place in Sunday's championship heat.
The Harvard-Radcliffe double opened the day with a strong performance in Heat 3, taking first in 8:24.94 and maintaining a comfortable margin over Wisconsin. The Black and White entered a second double in Heat 4 but did not compete in the race.
The Lightweight Four A continued the momentum with a close win in Heat 1, crossing in 7:36.34 and edging Wisconsin in a competitive race by just under three seconds, while the Second Lightweight Four B boat placed third in Heat 2 with a time of 8:03.00.
In the Novice Four, Harvard-Radcliffe turned in a strong effort in one of the closest races of the morning, finishing fourth in 8:57.89, just .30 seconds behind Case Western Reserve.
The Black and White carried their speed into the afternoon session, beginning with a statement victory in the Lightweight Eight (6:38.18), holding off Boston University by over three seconds. The Second Varsity Eight followed with a narrow win in 7:02.59, edging Holy Cross by less than three seconds in a tight race. Harvard-Radcliffe capped the day with a commanding performance in the Varsity Eight, winning Heat 4 in 6:45.23 with a margin of over 10 seconds.
Morning Session Results:
Double A - Heat 3
- Harvard-Radcliffe (A) – 8:24.94
- Wisconsin (B) – 8:30.23
- Boston University (D) – 8:43.22
- Georgetown (B) – 8:44.03
- Adrian College – 10:27.68
- New Hampshire – 11:06.72
Lineup:
Bow:
Sweitzer
Stroke:
Wotovich
Double B - Heat 4
- Wisconsin (C) – 8:08.27
- Georgetown (A) – 8:29.40
- Boston University (C) – 8:35.56
- Oklahoma City – 8:45.39
- Susquehanna University – 10:43.81
- Harvard-Radcliffe (B) – Did not start
Lineup:
Bow:
Yuan
Stroke:
Hirschfeld
Lightweight Four – Heat 1
- Harvard-Radcliffe (A) – 7:36.34
- Wisconsin – 7:39.27
- Boston University (B) – 7:44.06
- MIT (A) – 7:54.14
Lineup:
Stroke:
Michaela Darcy
3:
Caitlyn Kukulowicz
2:
Amelia Cooper
Bow: Kiera Dwan
Coxswain: Lilly Ranalli
Lightweight Four – Heat 2
- Boston University (A) – 7:44.98
- Georgetown – 7:56.01
- Harvard-Radcliffe (B) – 8:03.00
- MIT (A) – 8:19.08
Lineup:
Stroke: Maciejak
3:
Hirschfeld
2:
Carter
1:
Yuan
Coxswain:
Hug
Novice Four – Heat 3
- MSOE – 8:31.25
- Monmouth University (A) – 8:47.36
- Case Western Reserve – 8:57.59
- Harvard-Radcliffe – 8:57.89
Lineup:
Stroke:
Behringer
3:
Lovely
2:
Tiftikcioglu
Bow:
Hutaj
Coxswain:
Tian
Afternoon Session Results:
Lightweight Eight Heat
- Harvard-Radcliffe – 6:38.18
- Boston University – 6:41.72
- MIT (A) – 6:44.44
- Georgetown – 6:47.54
- Wisconsin – 6:48.55
- Sacred Heart – 7:22.58
Lineup:
Coxswain:
Sheth
8:
Krywosa
7:
Nielsen
6:
Schwartz
5:
Paley
4:
Reidy
3:
Holbrook
2:
Mangan
Bow:
Marks
Second Varsity Eight – Heat 4
- Harvard-Radcliffe – 7:02.59
- Holy Cross – 7:05.35
- Sacred Heart – 7:12.81
- Eastern Michigan – 7:20.67
- St. Josephs – 7:36.91
Lineup:
Coxswain:
Hug
8:
Sweitzer
7:
Darcy
6:
Kukulowicz
5:
Carter
4:
Cooper
3: Dwan
2:
Wotovich
1:
Maciejak
Varsity Eight – Heat 4
- Harvard-Radcliffe – 6:45.23
- Old Dominion – 6:55.98
- Sacred Heart – 6:58.39
- Albany – 6:58.89
- West Virginia University - 7:03.47
- Iona University - 7:20.23
Lineup:
Coxswain: Ranalli
8:
Krywosa
7:
Nielsen
6:
Schwartz
5:
Paley
4:
Reidy
3:
Holbrook
2:
Mangan
Bow:
Marks
Up Next
The Black and White return to the water tomorrow for championship racing on day two of the annual Knecht Cup Regatta. Harvard-Radcliffe opens competition at 7:44 a.m. ET, with live streaming available on the Knecht Cup YouTube channel.
