JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's rowing team traveled north to Jacksonville on Saturday to kick off the spring season at the Jacksonville University Dual. The Eagles competed against boats from JU and Grand Valley State in a trio of races.
 
The first races of the day were a pair of Varsity Eights. ERAU's boat of Kathryn Chilelli, Lauren Stollenwerk, Gwendolyn Powell, Kaya Treder, Bethany Thompson, Kassidi Flynn, Alexandra Popielarz, Melinda Fix, and Rachel Hemsworth took third in the first race, clocking a time of 7:27.6 that was just seven seconds off the winning time. The second race saw the Eagle boat of Jodie Harmon, Alina Gagliola, Alyssa Crystal, Alyssa Hodum, Becca McBride, Rylan Randolph, Mackenzie Cunningham, Kayla Tarbox, and Madeline Casper place fourth with a time of 9:35.9.
 
The final race of the day was a Varsity Four that saw the ERAU crew of Casey McMahon, Tracey Loeffler, Caleigh Bocrie, Athena Padgiotis, and Julianna Snider earn a second-place finish in 9:43.3.
 
"Our first race of the season is in the books and we're in a good place right now," Head Coach Jamie Francis said. "We got to see some tough competition from Jacksonville and Grand Valley State today and I am excited to see what we can do over the next several weeks to gain some more speed."
 
The Eagles are back in action this week at the Rollins College Dual in Winter Park on Thursday, March 14.