Varsity-four boat finishes sixth in grand finals of its event

WORCESTER, Mass. (May 6, 2012) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's rowing team competed at the 2012 New England Rowing Championships in Worcester, Mass. this weekend and a pair of boats turned in solid performances.

The novice-four boat of Bianca Baldelli (coxswain), Ashley Lavoie (stroke), Hayley Brown (three), Madelene Morrill (two) and Dayna Mercadante (bow) placed third in the petite finals in a time of 9:00.326, to finish in ninth place overall throughout the New England region.

The varsity-four boat of Erika Hebert (coxswain), Jess Whittemore (stroke), Samantha Bizon (three), Morgan Miller (two) and Natasha Pastor (bow) advanced to the grand finals of their event and placed sixth in a time of 8:35.372.

The women's rowing team returns to action next weekend when the Ravens travel to Philadelphia, Pa. to compete in the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta.

For more information on Franklin Pierce women's rowing, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.) To follow the program even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens).