BOSTON – A photo finish for the Varsity 4+ and a first place finish for the Second Varsity 4+ stood out in the Boston University women's rowing team's performances against No. 18 Columbia and Northeastern on Saturday morning on the Charles River.
 
Overnight snow trickled into the first races, only to be replaced with rain and cold temperatures that floated in the lower 30s. Choppy waters even created whitecaps following the final event and shortened the Second Varsity 4+ races to 1,000 meters.
 
The morning began with the Varsity 8+ as BU, coxed by Audrey Lucerne and stroked by Sotiria Angou, also competed with Northeastern for the Council Cup. The Lions and Huskies went bow ball to bow ball as BU sat three seats behind, but Columbia gained separation at the midpoint and crossed first in 6:42.3. Northeastern was second in 6:44.3 to retain the Council Cup as the Terriers were third in 6:45.7.
 
BU's Second Varsity 8+, coxed by Valeria Lizarraga Ramirez and stroked by Nina Palmer, raced alongside Columbia as Northeastern roared out to a six-seat lead in the opening 500 meters. The Lions separated from the Terriers by the Mass. Ave. Bridge and came back to finish first with a time of 6:48.8, with the Huskies trailing by one second. BU was third in 7:00.5.
 
The Varsity 4+, coxed by Kennedy Walker and stroked by Lilly McSweeney, also blitzed off the starting line with Columbia. The Lions pulled away from both crews as Northeastern gradually pulled up to the Terriers. In a photo finish at the line, it was found that BU's bow ball was just in front of Northeastern for a second-place result in 7:44.4, four-tenths better than the Huskies. Columbia was first in 7:38.1.
 
A second fours race followed with two BU entries: the Second Varsity 4+, coxed by Molly Bernardo and stroked by Elisabeth Arnason, and Third Varsity 4+, coxed by Abby Kleiner and stroked by Johanna Calderon. The Terriers 2V4 rode a fast start through the entire piece and finished first in 4:13.6. Columbia's 3V4 and 2V4 were second and third, respectively. The BU 3V4 was fifth in 4:35.1.
 
Racing concluded with the Third Varsity 8+, coxed by Maya Wiisanen and stroked by Anna Woodside. Columbia and Northeastern established the top and second spots early in the race and never looked back. The Lions were first in a commanding 6:39.2, over 30 seconds in front of Northeastern's 7:09.5. The Terrier crew was third in 7:15.4, over nine seconds ahead of the Huskies' 4V8.
 
BU takes a two-week break from competition before traveling to the Lake Wheeler Invite in North Carolina on April 25 and 26.
 
RESULTS
Varsity 8+ - Council Cup

• Columbia – 6:42.3
• Northeastern – 6:44.3
• BU – 6:45.7

Second Varsity 8+

• Columbia – 6:48.8
• Northeastern – 6:49.8
• BU – 7:00.5

Varsity 4+

• Columbia – 7:38.1
• BU – 7:44.4
• Northeastern – 7:44.8

Second Varsity 4+ (1,000 meters)

• BU – 4:13.6
• Columbia 3V4 – 4:20.5
• Columbia – 4:23.4
• Northeastern – 4:29.6
• BU 3V4 – 4:35.1

Third Varsity 8+

• Columbia – 6:39.2
• Northeastern – 7:09.5
• BU – 7:15.4
• Northeastern 4V8 – 7:24.5

LINEUPS
Varsity 8+
Bow: Sarah Stacey
2: Raylynn Boston
3: Olivia Bencze
4: Kat Robbins
5: Gigi Williams
6: Lydia Pelton
7: Ingrid Eshuis
Stroke: Sotiria Angou
Cox: Audrey Lucerne
 
Second Varsity 8+
Bow: Luisa Reussner
2: Aryn Bailey
3: Viktoria Zruttová
4: Julia Andrist
5: Mariana Forehand
6: Tatum Swanwick
7: Hannah Look
Stroke: Nina Palmer
Cox: Valeria Lizarraga Ramirez
 
Varsity 4+
Cox: Kennedy Walker
Bow: Ada Giraldo
2: Melanie Helfenstein
3: Sally Thoden
Stroke: Lilly McSweeney
 
Second Varsity 4+
Cox: Molly Bernardo
Bow: Ruthie Wix
2: Katie Chambers
3: Sophia Williams
Stroke: Elisabeth Arnason
 
Third Varsity 4+
Cox: Abby Kleiner
Bow: Mary Cummings
2: Ally Phillips
3: Lucy Schwartz
Stroke: Johanna Calderon
 
Third Varsity 8+
Bow: Elsa Marino
2: Cece Engel
3: Maeve Keohane
4: Abby Berg
5: Caelan Harrington
6: Julia Kraski
7: Sonya Carson
Stroke: Anna Woodside
Cox: Maya Wiisanen