MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's rowing team competed on opposite side of the country this weekend. The varsity 8+ crew traveled to San Diego to race in the UC San Diego Invitational Saturday and Sunday (April 15-16), while the second varsity 8+ crew participated in the Knecht Cup in New Jersey the same days.
 
The varsity 8+ competed in three dual races starting with 2022 national qualifier Santa Clara University on Saturday morning. The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead and extended it slightly over the first 1,000-meters.
 
Santa Clara made its move at the halfway mark and overtook the Pioneers eventually winning by a length of open water. Santa Clara crossed the line in 6:03.03 with Marietta finishing in 6:09.30.
 
In the afternoon, Marietta faced off against No. 24 ranked UC San Diego. The Tritons were too fast for the Pioneers and cruised to a 12 second victory. UC San Diego finished in 6:06.65 with Marietta posting a time of 6:18.75.
 
In their final race Sunday morning, the Pioneers we paired with No. 25 ranked Gonzaga University. After a race delay and course shift, Marietta bolted off the line and ran its fastest, most complete race of the season. But Gonzaga was able to hold off the Navy Blue and White for a seven second victory. Gonzaga's winning time was 6:10.60 with the Pioneers posting a time of 6:17.60.
 
"No one is satisfied with losing, but we came away thrilled to be making strides," Marietta head coach Greg Myhr said. "Strides against nationally ranked teams, at that."
 
The Pioneer second varsity 8+ had mixed results at Knecht Cup. Marietta placed a disappointing sixth in the Saturday heats but trimmed over 20 seconds off its time in the Petite Final on Saturday to place fourth.
 
La Salle won the Saturday heat with a time of 6:05.48, followed by MIT (6:10.43), Drexel B (6:12.69), Lehigh (6:33.71), George Washington B (6:47.87), and Marietta (6:54.42).
 
In the Petite Final on Sunday, George Washington's B crew was first across the finish line posting a time of 6:13.42, followed by Lehigh (6:24.16), Army (6:28.15), Marietta (6:33.50), George Washington A (6:33.55), and Fairfield (7:08.22).
 
Marietta returns home to host Adrian, Mercyhurst and Purdue next Saturday and Sunday (April 22-23).
 
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Results
Varsity 8+ - UC San Diego Invitational
 
Race One: 1. Santa Clara (6:03.03), 2. Marietta (6:09.30).
Race Two: 1. UC San Diego (6:06.65), 2. Marietta (6:18.75)
Race Three: 1. Gonzaga (6:10.60), 2. Marietta (6:17.60)
 
Coxswain: Duncan Fraser (Cleveland, Ohio/Saint Ignatius), Stroke: Gregorio Puntarelli (Houston, Texas/Memorial), 7: Joseph Madrid (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South), 6: Benjamin Harper (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South), 5: Liam Sherman (Chicago, Ill./Lake View), 4: Graysen Brady (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson), 3: John Saunders (Buffalo, N.Y./Olmsted), 2: William Hoffman (Brigantine, N.J./Holy Spirit), Bow: Kade Hennacy (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington).
 
Second Varsity 8+ - Knecht Cup
Heats: 1. LaSalle (6:05.48), 2. MIT (6:10.43), 3. Drexel B (6:12.69), 4. Lehigh (6:33.71), 5. George Washington B (6:47.87), 6. Marietta (6:54.42).
 
Petite Final: 1. George Washington B (6:13.42), 2. Lehigh (6:24.16), 3. Army (6:28.15), 4. Marietta (6:33.50), 5. George Washington A (6:33.55), 6. Fairfield (7:08.22)
 
Coxswain: Bryce West (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum), Stroke: Nik Simone (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City), 7: Jacob Salvo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon), 6: Adam Sarhan (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Egg Harbor Township), 5: Christian Schulitz (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon), 4: Brian Bonifas (Rocky River, Ohio), 3: Caden Adams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderice), 2: Colby Pasour (Lincolnton, N.C./Highland), Bow: Evan Saribalas (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany)