MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's rowing team opened the spring racing season Saturday (Mar. 22) when the Pioneers hosted Wisconsin and Mercyhurst on the Muskingum River.

"Both Wisconsin and Mercyhurst are historical rivals for us - and very strong. We're really grateful they bring their teams here every year in the early season to knock heads," Marietta head coach Greg Myhr said. "We thought our squad - all three eights - fought hard and raced well, and it was great to see our 2V prevail over the Mercyhurst heavies. It's early days on this season, but this was a positive first step against very strong competition."

In the third varsity 8+ race Wisconsin had the first two boats across the finish line. Wisconsin A won with a time of 5:40.2 with Wisconsin B (5:49.2) nine seconds behind
And Marietta (6:00.9) in third.

Marietta finished five seconds behind Wisconsin in the second varsity 8+ race. Wisconsin crossed in 5:41.5, with Marietta (5:46.9) and Mercyhurst (5:58.6) in second and third.

The varsity 8+ race was the final race of the day and Wisconsin completed the sweep with a time of 5:22.8, followed by Mercyhurst (5:30.8) and Marietta (5:37.4).

Marietta heads west for the San Diego Crew Classic Saturday and Sunday (Mar. 29-30).

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 X and Instagram.

Results
Men's Third Varsity 8+
Wisconsin A    5:40.2
Wisconsin B    5:49.2
Marietta    6:00.9

Marietta: Coxswain: Connor Rothandler (Burke, Va./Robinson), Stroke: Christian Schulitz (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon), 7: Nikolas Passarella (Leesburg, Va./Riverside), 6: Aiden Gatland (Xenia, Ohio/Dayton Regional STEM), 5: Brian Bonifas (Rocky River, Ohio/St. Ignatius), 4: Story Rufener (Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Country Day), 3: Kline Howell (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge), 2: Jordan Straw (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta), Bow: Anthony Calandra (Nokomis, Fla./)

Men's Second Varsity 8+
Wisconsin    5:41.5
Marietta    5:46.9
Mercyhurst    5:58.6

Marietta: Coxswain: Bryce West (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum), Stroke: Alexander Cathcart (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack), 7: Nicolas Invernizzi (Lambare, Paraguay/Colegio Cristo Rey), 6: Nik Simone (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City), 5: Jacob Salvo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon), 4: Liam Sherman (Chicago, Ill./Lake View), 3: Nicholas Sarno (Brigantine, N.J./Holy Spirit), 2: Rowan Schulde (Litchfield, Conn./Litchfield), Bow: Graysen Brady (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson)

Men's Varsity 8+
Wisconsin    5:22.8
Mercyhurst    5:30.8
Marietta    5:37.4

Marietta: Coxswain: Declan Garrett (Old Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich), Stroke: Benjamin Harper (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South), 7: Michael Swale (Vienna, Va./James Madison), 6: Rowan Streaker (Kensington, Md./Walter Johnson), 5: Ryan Campbell (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jat), 4: Gary Rought (Mason, Ohio/William Mason), 3: Nicholas Pachete (Monroeville, Pa./Central Catholic), 2: Carson Jones (Spring, Texas/Providence Classical School), Bow: Kyle Rucker (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman)