MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Duquesne Women's Rowing team loaded up into some vans for the 20-minute drive from campus to the Robert Morris University McPhail Boathouse to take on the RMU Colonials and the Canisius College Gryphons in a contest for the Yinzer Cup.

As the Dukes prepared their shells for racing, on a comfortably sun-drenched western Pennsylvania fall day, a considerable headwind was preparing to challenge all the crews as well. Not until the first crew put their boat in the water did the headwind begin to kick up, but once it did, the wind was gusty and relentless. Despite the nature of the wind, the water remained rowable, if a bit choppy, and the Duquesne athletes set off for a race against the other crews and the wind in four separate 8+s, all in the same race.
 
 The start order of the crews was Duquesne 1V8, Canisius, RMU 1V8, Duquesne 2V8, RMU 2V8, Duquesne 3V8, Duquesne 4V8.
 
As the race started, the Duquesne 1V8, coxed by Elizabeth Kuhn, immediately started to increase their margin on the field. Racing at a rate of 32-33 strokes per minute, the crew had a great flow and rhythm to their strokes; no crew on the water could close down water on the Duquesne 1V8 and they earned themselves a first place finish for their efforts.
 
Starting the course fourth, the Duquesne 2V8, coxed by Catherine Egan, took an aggressive early charge at the Robert Morris 1V8. The early aggression served the Duquesne crew well; they were able to pass the Colonials and although they never drew up to level terms with the Gryphons, they were able to close down a good deal of water on them. The Dukes 2V8 covered the course in 15:40 and finished with the second fastest time of the day.
 
Starting the course 6^th, the Duquesne 3V8, coxed by Rory Brouillard, took off with a plan to track down as many boats as possible in front of them. In the first half of the race, they were able to catch and pass the RMU 2V8, and the rest of the race they spent chasing the top end of the field. Rory managed her crew at around 30-32 strokes per minute, and approaching the finish line, the crew looked sharp and engaged. For their performance, the Duquesne 3V8 took home a fourth place finish, ahead of the RMU 1V8 and behind the Canisius 1V8.
 
The final crew to start down the course was the Duquesne 4V8+, coxed by Paige Engel. For Paige, it was a return to her high school crew waters, and she had an especially fun time racing down a familiar course. The Dukes set a goal to pass at least one crew and have a great race, and with a pass of the RMU 2V8, the crew achieved their objective. Looking solid at about 30 strokes per minute, the crew felt good about their race and effort on the day, and took home a sixth place finish.
 
Of his team's preparation for the race, and performance on the day, head coach Matt Carlsen said "we have been very blessed at practice to have pretty ideal conditions every day. It was great to see the team step-up and race well with the headwinds and chop. As we are gearing up for Head of the Schuylkill I will continue to pray for more wind to get us ready to head up to Philadelphia."
 
Earning themselves a first, second, fourth, and sixth place finish, the Dukes earned themselves the Yinzer Cup. The Yinzer Cup will reside on the Bluff until at least October 2023.

The Dukes will return to action in Philadelphia on October 29^th, when they will race crews from 29 other colleges and two boat clubs at the Head of the Schuylkill regatta on the historic Schuylkill River Race Course.
 
Results:
4500m course
Duquesne 1V8: 15:28
Duquesne 2V8: 15:40
Canisius 1V8: 15:54
Duquesne 3V8: 16:13
Robert Morris 1V8: 16:45
Duquesne 4V8: 17:30
Robert Morris 2V8: 19:22
 
Lineups:
DUQ 1V8
Coxswain: Elizabeth Kuhn
Stroke: Mikaela Nestel
7: Hannah Valenty
6: Lauren Boyce
5: Payton Campbell
4: Madison Barker
3: Britta Wheeler
2: Rebecca Swanson
Bow: Grace Kennevan
 
DUQ 2V8:
Coxswain: Catherine Egan
Stroke: Bridget Abbott
7: Isabella Abbott
6: Sarah Ricketts
5: Brigid Haugh
4: Aynslee Sibley
3: Cherise Dicke
2: Samantha Szlachta
Bow: Mikayla Bayto
 
DUQ 3V8:
Coxswain: Rory Brouillard
Stroke: Eliza Mance
7: Isabella Trovato
6: Jillian Peters
5: Haley Haukedahl
4: Nya Muffoletto
3: Mia Durante
2: Maggie Ray
Bow: Natalie Hesch
 
DUQ 4V8:
Coxswain: Paige Engel
Stroke: Kathryn Ackerman
7: Megan Elliott
6: Olivia Silbert
5: Kiran Dahnke
4: Kelly Ardrey
3: Megan McMahon
2: Rosemary van der Net
Bow: Sydney Lynch