WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men's rowing team opened its 2011 spring season by facing No. 14 Dartmouth on Lake Quinsigamond on Saturday. In the varsity eight race, the Big Green took first place with a time of 5:53.6, while the Crusaders finished in a time of 6:05.8. 

"We are never happy about a loss, but I saw a lot of positive signs about our entire squad even in defeat," said Holy Cross head coach Todd Pearson. "The Dartmouth team we raced against today is very strong from top to bottom, but have a lot of speed left to gain. We're already focused on using a full week on the water to get us prepared for the George Washington Invitational next weekend."

In the second varsity eight race, Dartmouth earned a first place finish in a time of 6:08.2. The Big Green's third varsity eight took second in the race with a time of 6:19.4, while Holy Cross finished in third with a time of 6:19.6.

Dartmouth also claimed first place in the freshman / novice eight in a time of 6:13.2. The Crusaders claimed second place in a time of 6:17.4, while the Big Green's second freshman eight placed third in a time of 6:59.6.

The Crusaders return to action when they travel to Washington, D.C., to compete at the 24th annual George Washington Invitational Regatta on April 9-10, on the Potomac River. Go here for the regatta schedule.

Holy Cross varsity eight: Mary Carol Madigan (coxswain), Grant O'Connell, Tom Gallant, Peter Prominski, Kevin Moran, Peter Dwyer, Trevor Zaleski, Colin Hayes, Pat Rapuano.

Holy Cross second varsity eight: Steve Burison (coxswain), Paul Gaffney, Nick Forgione, Andrew Cecchetti, Dan Ryan, Pete Haney, Mike Walker, Nicholas Powers, Kevin Smith.

Holy Cross freshman eight: John Gentile (coxswain), Jordan Traub, Matt Haraburda, Sean O'Neill, Anthony Curro, Tom Schoenberger, Henry Van Damme, Mike Lindsay, Bryan Ptucha.