PHILADELPHIA -- The University of Delaware opened the 2009 women’s rowing season Saturday and placed second in three events and third in another in a five-team meet hosted by Saint Joseph’s on the Schuylkill River.

Saint Joseph’s won all four races in a meet that also includes teams from Delaware, Drexel, Lehigh, and LaSalle.

The Blue Hens placed second in the Second Varsity Eights, Novice Eights, and Varsity Fours while placing third in the Varsity Eights and fifth in the Novice Eights.

In the Second Varsity Eights, Delaware’s team of coxswain Hillary Levitz, Sara Leviton, Liz Cretekos, Katelyn Huber, Brittany Hayes, Erin Hoban, Leanna Colubriale, Kaitlin Roehrer, and Nicolette Lotrionte placed second with a time of 7:26.3 to outlast Drexel and Lehigh. Saint Joseph’s won in a time of 7:19.5.

In the Novice Eights, Delaware’s “A” team of coxswain Christa Kurman, Kristine McGrath, Mary Scholz, Erica Morgan, Lauren Kolsky, Courtney Williams, Julie Ridgeway, Lauren Kanaskie, and Jamie Hedrick was second in a time of 7:40.7 while its “B” team of coxswain Rachel Waylett, Laura Wertman, Tori Drach, Virginia Hall, Laura Dodd, Arielle Farrell, Chelsea McFadden, Elyse Palmer, and Emily Nassi was fifth in a clocking of 8:52.8 as a locked oar slowed them down considerably. Saint Joseph’s won the race in 7:35.9 while Lehigh was third and Drexel was fourth.

In the Novice Fours, the Blue Hens’ group of coxswain Avery Griffin, Grace Capreol, Kristin Endres, Valerie Glace, and Sarah Baillie, came in at 8:51.5, just under 16 seconds behind winner Saint Joseph's’ at 8:35.9.

In the Varsity Eights competition, Saint Joseph’s won in a time of 6:48.2 while Drexel was second in 6:54.5 and Delaware was third in 7:08.2. Lehigh was fourth followed by LaSalle. Delaware’s team consisted of coxswain Marra Green, Meredith Rubin, Darra Finnerty, Regine Adrien, Rachael Conway, Mary Grace Maggiano, Elizabeth Carey, Ashley Maguire, and Steph Lynch.

Delaware will continue action March 28 at the Murphy Cup on the Schuylkill River.

AGATE:

Varsity Eights: 1. Saint Joseph’s, 6:48.2; 2. Drexel, 6:54.5; 3. Delaware (Marra Green, Meredith Rubin, Darra Finnerty, Regine Adrien, Rachael Conway, Mary Grace Maggiano, Elizabeth Carey, Ashley Maguire, Steph Lynch), 7:08.2; 4. Lehigh, 7:17.9; 5. LaSalle, 7:27.0.

Second Varsity Eights: 1. Saint Joseph’s, 7:19.5; 2. Delaware (Hillary Levitz, Sara Leviton, Liz Cretekos, Katelyn Huber, Brittany Hayes, Erin Hoban, Leanna Colubriale, Kaitlin Roehrer, Nicolette Lotrionte), 7:26.3; 3. Drexel, 7:34.6; 4. Lehigh, 7:39.9.

Novice Eights: 1. Saint Joseph’s, 7:35.9; 2. Delaware A (Christa Kurman, Kristine McGrath, Mary Scholz, Erica Morgan, Lauren Kolsky, Courtney Williams, Julie Ridgeway, Lauren Kanaskie, Jamie Hedrick), 7:40.7; 3. Lehigh, 7:59.9; 4. Drexel, 8:04.1; 5. Delaware B (Rachel Waylett, Laura Wertman, Tori Drach, Virginia Hall, Laura Dodd, Arielle Farrell, Chelsea McFadden, Elyse Palmer, Emily Nassi), 8:52.8.

Varsity Fours: 1. Saint Joseph’s, 8:35.9; 2. Delaware (Avery Griffin, Grace Capreol, Kristin Endres, Valerie Glace, Sarah Baillie), 8:51.5.