GAINSVILLE, Ga. (March 23, 2019) – The Franklin Pierce University rowing program retreated to Gainsville, Georgia for the start of a 10-day training trip beginning on March 14 which culminated in a third place and a program record time at the spring schedule opening John Hunter Regatta this Saturday at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park.

The Varsity 8+ boat consisted of five novices and four returning varsity members. The lineup was as follows, freshman Emme Ostrander (Westborough, Mass.), junior Sophia Alexandrou (Windham, N.H.), senior Shelby Telega (South Deerfield, Mass.), Katrina Grabeau, junior Jess Buckley (Wareham, Mass.), freshman Alexandra Contino (Galloway, N.J.), freshman Taylor Abbott (Gloucester, Mass.), sophomore Katrina Wilson (Rindge, N.H.) and senior Holly Hay (Miller Place, N.Y.).

The flock of Ravens competed in the morning heats with a time of 8:12.9 advancing onto the Petite Final. In the final, the Crimson and Grey came in third place with a program-record time of 7:47.08.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team,” said head coach Sarah Caruthers. “Our goal was to take advantage of every stroke on the water these past 10 days, and it showed in our final today.“

The Ravens hit the water again on Friday, April 5th for the first day of the Murphy Cup in Philadelphia, Pa.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://fpuravens.com) 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 rowing apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://fpuravens.com/store) You can also follow the rowing team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FPURowing/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpurowing/).