RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Duke rowing team picked up eight first place finishes at the Invitational on Lake Wheeler on Saturday, March 29, winning every event they entered by no less than nine seconds.

Included in the eight-win day were two wins each from the first and second varsity eights and the first and second varsity fours. Duke’s top finishes in the first and second women’s varsity eights and the women’s varsity fours were the fastest on the day in the respective events.

In varsity eights action, the Blue Devils finished the 2,000 meter course in 7:18.2 in their first race to defeat a three-team field that featured Georgetown (7:31.4) and Delaware (7:44.8) while also setting the tone with the best varsity eights finish on the day. They followed with another top finish, putting together a 7:21.8 effort to cruise past George Mason (7:36.0) in a dual-style race.

Duke’s second varsity eights group was just as successful, as the squad bested Delaware (8:16.9) and Northwestern (8:34.2) in 7:38.3 before blazing past George Mason (8:07.3) in 7:51.5 in their second outing. The 7:38.3 finish in the opener was also the best time on the day in the women’s second varsity eights races.

The first varsity fours boat picked up wins in a pair of three-boat races, opening the day with a time of 8:38.3 to beat North Carolina (8:59.9) and Delaware (10:06.7) before picking up another win over North Carolina (8:50.2) and George Mason (9:33.3) with a time of 8:40.7. The first finish of 8:38.3 was the best on the day in women’s varsity fours competition.

The second Blue Devil varsity fours squad dominated the opposition as well, beating George Mason by almost 30 seconds before putting together a near 20-second triumph over Delaware. Against George Mason, the group finished the course in 9:10.4 compared to George Mason’s time of 9:40.3. They followed with a 9:48.7 finish against Delaware, which turned in a time of 10:18.4

Up next for the Blue Devils is a road trip to Colombus, Ohio, on April 5 where they will face off against Michigan and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are coming off a third-place finish at the 2007 ACC Championships while the Wolverines are also ranked among the top-25 crews in the country.

Complete Duke Rowing Results
Women's V8+: 1. Duke 7:18.2; 2. Georgetown 7:31.4; 3. Delaware 7:44.8
Women's V8+: 1. Duke 7:21.8; 2. George Mason 7:36.0

Women's V4+: 1. Duke 1V4 8:40.7; 2. UNC 8:50. 2; 3. George Mason 9:33.3
Women's V4+: 1. Duke 1V4 8:38.3; 2. UNC 8:59.9; 3. Delaware 10:06.7

Women's 2V8+: 1. Duke 7:51.5; 2. George Mason 8:07.3
Women's 2V8+: 1. Duke 7:38.3; 2. Delaware 8:16.9; 3. Northwestern (exh., ltwt) 8:34.2

Women's 2V4+: 1. Duke 9:10.4; 2. George Mason 9:40.3
Women's 2V4+: 1. Duke 9:48.7; 2. Delaware 10:18.4

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