BOSTON (October 19, 2015) – The Franklin Pierce University women's rowing team competed at the 51st Annual Head of the Charles Regatta over the weekend. The event was highlighted by the christening of the team's new Resolute 8+ rowing shell, named after Irene Gudewicz of the Grimshaw-Gudewicz foundation. The new shell was christened by Bernie Taradash, who manages the foundation, along with team captains, juniors Kirsten Salois (Pelham, N.H.) and Megan DeFelice (Chester, N.H.).

The Women's Varsity 8+ managed a 35th place finish in the Women's Club Eight event on Saturday. Led by sophomore coxswain Grace Walker (Greenfield, Mass.), junior Nicole Rode (Thomaston, Conn.), freshman Mackenzie Hitch (Oregon, Ohio), freshman Marykate Cullinane (Medford, Mass.), senior Kasie Tucker (Bow, N.H.), sophomore Danielle Clarke (Fairfield, Conn.), senior Amanda Beasley (Newmarket, N.H.), senior Julia Canova (Avon, Conn.) and sophomore Stephanie Priest (Dudley, Mass.) battled strong winds and completed the race with a time of 22:16.75. Brown University won the race with a time of 17:09.

The Women's Varsity Four of senior coxswain Mary Quinn (Erie, Pa.), freshman Kyra Fairley (Kingston, N.Y.), DeFelice, Salois and freshman Onyeris Lopez-Maldonado (Hyde Park, Mass.) had a strong showing in a strong field of boats, finishing with a time of 23:38.6, which was good for 26th place out of 35. The Ravens finished the three-mile course ahead of boats from St. John Fisher College, Bryant University, Washington University, Simmons College, Colby College, Purdue University, New York University, Miami University (Ohio) and Massachusetts Maritime. The University of New Hampshire took home the win with a time of 19:30 and was followed by Nova Southeastern (19:31.87) and the defending NCAA Division II champions, Barry University (19:42.89).

Next week the Ravens travel to the Amherst College Fall Invitational where they will face off against Amherst, Assumption College, Smith College and Clark University.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's rowing apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).