WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Three boats will race for medals on the final day of the Knecht Cup on Sunday as the George Mason rowing team opened the annual regatta with strong showings on Saturday. The Patriots raced a total of five boats with four advancing to the finals on Sunday on Mercer Lake.

Saturday featured preliminary heats and semi-finals, while the finals will take place on Sunday.

The varsity four kicked things off with a third-place finish in its heat to advance to the semi-finals later in the afternoon. The Patriots finished behind Central Florida and Buffalo in first and second-places, respectively, while beating Old Dominion and Fordham with a time of 7:55.29.

Up next for the Patriots was the second varsity four while claimed second in 7:56.74, just behind first-place Tulsa 7:43.25), to advance straight to the grand final on Sunday. Buffalo, West Virginia and Temple finished behind Mason in third, fourth and fifth-places, respectively.

Also capturing a second-place finish, the novice four crossed the finish line in 8:40.29 to advance to the semi-finals in the afternoon. Villanova took first-place in 8:25.86.

The varsity eight took to the water next and owned third-place in 7:12.17 as the top three boats moved on to semi-final action. Drexel claimed first place with a time of 6:58.17. The second varsity eight rounded out preliminary heats for Mason and finished in fifth (7:29.96).

The varsity four returned to the water to open semi-final action for Mason and crossed in 7:42.58 to take second-place. Tulsa finished first in 7:37.03. Mason will race in the grand final at 9:40 a.m. tomorrow.

Mason's second boat to reach the grand final came up next as the novice four also claimed a second place finish in its semi-final. Mason finished just behind Bowdoin A (8:00.38) with a time of 8:02.25. The novice four will open action on Sunday for Mason at 8:50 a.m.

The varsity eight closed things out for the Patriots in its semi-final in the afternoon nearly missing a fifth-place finish in 7:11.26. Colgate took the fifth spot in 7:11.25, while Old Dominion claimed first in 6:51.61. Mason advanced to the third level final and will race at 2:20 p.m. tomorrow.

The final day of racing opens on Sunday with the singles events at 7:00 a.m. Mason's first appearance on Sunday will be with the novice four at 8:50 a.m. For complete regatta results and schedules, please click here.

RESULTS

Varsity Four Heat 4 – 1-4 plus next 2 fastest times to Semi-Final
1.Central Florida – 7:43.25
2. Buffalo – 7:45.63
3. George Mason – 7:55.29
4. Old Dominion – 7:58.93
5. Fordham – 8:01.41

Second Varsity Four Heat 2 – 1 plus next 3 fastest times to Final
1.Tulsa – 7:52.91
2. George Mason – 7:56.74
3. Buffalo – 7:59.77
4. West Virginia – 8:07.64
5. Temple – 8:31.26

Frosh/Novice Four Heat 4 – 1-3 plus next 3 fastest times to Semi-Final
1.Villanova A – 8:25.86
2. George Mason – 8:40.29
3. Vassar – 8:57.18
4. Pittsburgh B – 9:01.07
5. TCNJ – 9:01.57
6. Loyola

Varsity Eight Heat 4 – 1-3 plus next 3 fastest times to Semi-Final
1.Drexel – 6:58.17
2. North Carolina – 6:59.71
3. George Mason – 7:12.17
4. Villanova – 7:17.47
5. New Hampshire – 7:19.41

Second Varsity Eight Heat 1 – 1-4 plus next 2 fastest times to Semi-Final
1.Bucknell – 7:04.04
2. UMass – 7:04.75
3. Alabama – 7:10.32
4. SMU – 7:20.02
5. George Mason – 7:29.96
6. La Salle – 7:56.97

Varsity Four Semi 1 – 1-2 to Grand Final, 3-4 to Petite Final, 5-6 to Third Level Final
1.Tulsa – 7:37.03
2. George Mason – 7:42.58
3. Villanova – 7:47.09
4. Temple – 7:48.84
5. New Hampshire – 7:50.17
6. Bucknell – 8:02.37

Frosh/Novice Four Semi 1 – 1-2 to Grand Final, 3-4 to Petite Final
1.Bowdoin A – 8:00.38
2. George Mason – 8:02.25
3. Philadelphia – 8:06.45
4. Lafayette – 8:19.82
5. Colgate – 8:34.85
6. Catholic – 8:42.01

Varsity Eight Semi 2 – 1-2 to Grand Final, 3-4 to Petite Final, 5-6 to Third Level Final
1.Old Dominion – 6:51.61
2. Boston College – 6:52.74
3. Wisconsin Lwt – 6:52.95
4. Alabama – 6:59.25
5. Colgate – 7:11.25
6. George Mason – 7:11.26