BOSTON, Mass. - The Gonzaga University women's rowing squad closed out a strong first day at the Charles River Challenge winning two races and coming in second in another in the afternoon round. The Bulldogs, racing both Northeastern University and Syracuse University in the afternoon round, took first place in both the Junior Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ and finished second in the Varsity 8+ race.

Gonzaga earned its first victory of the day when the Junior Varsity 8+ finished the 2,000-meter course at DeWolfe Boathouse in 6:47.80; nearly four seconds ahead of co-host Northeastern. The Huskies crossed the finish line with a time of 6:51.30, followed by Syracuse who had a finish of 6:57.70.

The Bulldogs continued their winning ways, earning a 15-second victory in the Varsity 4+ race with a time of 7:31.00. Northeastern again placed second behind GU with a time of 7:46.90. Syracuse rounded out the race in third crossing the finish line 7:53.30.

Northeastern, currently ranked 19th in the latest Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/USRowing Top-20, squeaked out a three-second victory over Gonzaga in the marquee Varsity 8+ race. The Huskies had a time of 6:32.10, while the Bulldogs clocked in at 6:35.76. Syracuse again finished third with a time of 6:41.42.

Gonzaga had a solid morning at the CRC as all three Zag boats closed out their morning races with second place finishes.

Brown University earned victories in all three events over Gonzaga this morning, including the Varsity 8+, Junior Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+.

Brown, who is ranked 11th in the latest Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/USRowing Top-20, earned the Varsity 8+ victory with a time of 6:25.70. The Bulldogs came in second, defeating host Boston, by a mere second. The Zags finished the 2,000-meter course in a time of 6:34.70, while the Terriers were clocked in at 6:35.30.

"It was a close race between both us and Boston all the way down the course," stated head coach Melissa Flint. "It was so nice to pull out the win. We're glad to have this race under our belt and get in the learning experience that only racing can give you."

Brown's Junior Varsity 8+ earned the first place victory with a time of 6:33.20. Gonzaga came in second, finishing with a time of 6:45.00, while Boston was third with a finish of 6:46.40.

Gonzaga closed out the morning racing with a strong second place finish in the Varsity 4+. The Bulldogs crossed the finish line in a time of 7:24.70; eight seconds behind Brown who earned the victory with a time of 7:16.30. Boston again came in last with a finish of 7:44.80.

All three Gonzaga boats will close out the weekend racing against Dartmouth College on Sunday. The Junior Varsity 8+ hits the water first against the Big Green at 5:30 a.m., followed by the Varsity 8+ at 6:00 a.m. The Varsity 4+ rounds out the weekends rowing at 6:30 a.m.

Charles River Challenge
(All races 2,000-meters)

Morning Results

Varsity 8+: Brown 6:25.70, Gonzaga 6:34.70, Boston 6:35.30

Junior Varsity 8+: Brown 6:33.20, Gonzaga 6:45.00, Boston 6:46.40

Varsity 4+: Brown 7:16.30, Gonzaga 7:24.70, Boston 7:44.80

Afternoon Results:

Varsity 8+: Northeastern 6:32.10, Gonzaga 6:35.76, Syracuse 6:41.42

Junior Varsity 8+: Gonzaga 6:47.80, Northeastern 6:51.30, Syracuse 6:57.70

Varsity 4+: Gonzaga 7:31.00, Northeastern 7:46.90, Syracuse 6:57.70