BUFFALO, N.Y. – Canisius College Rowing started its spring season with one of the most competitive regattas of the campaign, and already the MAAC is taking notice of the hard work. On Wednesday the conference awarded the Blue and Gold, the varsity eight of the week and second varsity eight of the week awards for their performances at the Knecht Cup in West Windsor N.J. on Saturday.

The Griffs had a chance to compete in a field that included high profile programs like Alabama and North Carolina, as well as the cream of the MAAC, with Marist and Jacksonville. When stacking up its times against its conference peers, the Blue and Gold excelled, besting Jacksonville and Marist in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight events.

The lineup of Molly Murphy, Shannon Pritzker, Corrine Kickel, Madeline Kurka, Kathryn Hobika, Brooke Stanley, Nora Kennon, Sydney Bichsel and Hannah Blum, was just a shade away from moving onto the next round, finishing the race with a time of 7:34.49.

Meanwhile, the second varsity eight, consisting of Mackenzie App, Chanel Davis, Amber Giambone, Michelle Turner, Bridget Lillis, Audrey Rieman, Kira Voyer, Patricia Beaulieu, and Jordan Bamrick, clocked in at 7:59.12.

Both boats, bested Jacksonville and Marist's times, finishing best of any MAAC school in the field. Both Jacksonville and Marist were picked ahead of Canisius in the preseason poll, with the Dolphins picked as the No. 1 team with the Red Foxes picked close behind. Canisius was selected in a third-place tie with Fairfield.

The Griffs now have a chance to fine tune their skills this coming weekend, working with Bucknell in a scrimmage setting. The exhibition will take place on April 16, in Lewisburg, Pa. The scrimmage will precede the squad's home regatta taking place on April 23 at the West Side Rowing Club. The Black Rock Cup will feature MAAC opponent Robert Morris.