Ravens record time 30 seconds faster than last week

LOWELL, Mass. (April 20, 2013) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's rowing team's varsity-four boat turned in a drastically improved performance on Saturday at the UMass-Lowell Race on the Merrimack River in Lowell, Mass.

The Ravens finished fourth out of five teams in the race with a time of 7:39.30. However, after finally being able to train on the water for a full week for the first time this spring season, Franklin Pierce was able to shave 30 seconds off its time from last Saturday's race against the River Hawks. The time was even 12 seconds faster than last Sunday's mark in the race against Bryant.

With fair weather expected in Rindge this week and another round of preparation on the water, head coach Jeff Allen is excited to see even more growth in his team.

Saturday's varsity-four boat consisted of Jess Whittemore at the stroke, Leah Kaczanowicz (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) at the three, Natasha Pastor (Fitzwilliam, N.H.) at the two, Hayley Brown (Newbury, Mass.) at the bow and Erika Hebert (Leominster, Mass.) as the coxswain.

Bowdoin won the event in a time of 7:00. 09, while Lowell finished second at 7:27.63.

For more information on Franklin Pierce 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). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce rowing apparel can do so on the athletic department's online store at athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store(.)