PHILADELPHIA – Despite turning in a third place finish, the Columbia heavyweight rowing varsity eight ran its fastest race of the spring against Yale and Penn in the Blackwell Cup regatta. The Lions' second and third varsity eights also showed huge improvements on the Schuykill River on Saturday morning.

The Lions' varsity turned in a 5:45.1 performance and finished behind Yale (5:26.9), who claimed the Blackwell Cup, and Penn (5:43.4). Columbia's time was nearly 25 seconds faster than its best time of the year, which came in the spring opener against Rutgers.

In the second varsity eight crossed the finish line in 5:44, eight seconds off the pace of the Bulldogs and seven seconds behind the Quakers.

Yale's third and fourth varsity eight came in one-two in the first race of the day. Columbia posted a time of 6:03.5 to finish fourth.

The Lions will return to action next Saturday, April 23, when they welcome Boston University and Syracuse to Overpeck Park for the Doc Lusins Trophy regatta.

BLACKWELL CUP REGATTA RESULTS

Varsity Eight
Yale                      5:26.9
Pennsylvania    5:43.4
Columbia            5:45.1

Second Varsity Eight
Yale                      5:36.0
Pennsylvania    5:37.9
Columbia            5:44.2

Third Varsity Eight
Yale 3V                5:40.4
Yale 4V                5:49.2
Pennsylvania    5:51.2
Columbia            6:03.5