Coach Doldron IRA Interview | Updated Sunday schedule | Live Results | Live IRA Broadcast

West Windsor, N.J. - The Boston University women's lightweight rowing team advance two boats to the grand finals and had another win a bonze medal in a very successful day of racing on Saturday at the 113th IRA National Championship Regatta.

Boston University's No. 3 ranked varsity eight boat placed second in its early morning heat race to advance to Sunday's grand final. Coxed by junior Rachel Cohn and stroked by senior Carol Chase Peterson, the 1V needed to finish in the top 2 of the race to advance. The BU 1V, along with Radcliife, pulled away from Georgetown and MIT early and settled into easy qualifying positions. BU finished with a time of 6:41.97, just behind Radcliffe (6:39.14) and a full 18 seconds ahead of third-place finisher Georgetown (6:59.00). MIT finished fourth in the heat with a time of 7:01.22.

BU's varsity four boat needed to race in the afternoon's repechage to advance to the grand finals after finishing fourth in its morning heat race. The V4, coxed by junior Allison Triola and stroked by sophomore Mariah Ippolito, delivered in its second race of the day. The BU varsity four placed second, again behind Radcliffe, to advance to Sunday's grand finals.

"Sunday will be the culmination of countless hours hard work for this tough determined group," said lightweight head coach Malcolm Doldron. "They know their roles and are prepared to execute to the best of their abilities. If they do that, both crews will be in medal contention."

Earlier in the afternoon, in an exhibition race, the BU women's lightweight double, made up of senior Brittany Murphy and junior Cynthia Herrera, finished third in its race and were presented with a bronze medal.

"I am very happy for our 2x capturing BU's first IRA medals in the inaugural women's light double event," added Doldron. "We put a strong emphasis on sculling throughout the year, so it was great to see Brynn and Cynthia on the podium, especially considering the fact that they both learned how to row at BU."

Racing continues tomorrow at 8:50 a.m. with the women's lightweight eight grand final. The women's lightweight four grand final starts at 10:30 a.m.

RESULTS

Full Updated Schedule

V8+

Cox: Rachel Cohn
8: Carol Chase Peterson
7: Makayla Karr-Warner
6: Savannah Keller
5: Nicole Love
4: Callie Bouzane
3: Annie Shapiro
2: Ashley Davidson
1: Leigh Shanor

V4+
Cox: Allie Triola
4: Mariah Ippolito
3: Boone Saunders
2: Sarah Pierluissi
1: Eleanor Rask

V2x
Stroke: Brittany Murphy
Bow: Cynthia Herrera