ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell lightweight rowing team kicked off its spring season with fast times and open water finishes as the Big Red topped the field at the Ithaca Duals. The Big Red won all six races it competed against boats from Ithaca, Hobart and Bucknell.

The varsity eight boat cruised past Bucknell, crossing the line 29 seconds ahead of the Bison after clocking a 6:07.4. They then topped Hobart in 6:17.2, 13 seconds clear of the Statesmen, later in the morning. 

The second and third varsity eight boats were also victorious over the Bison, with the second eight timing out in 6:23.1 and the third eight in 6:19.8. Both boats earned comfortable wins, hitting the line with 19 and 40 second wins, respectively. They later squared off with each other, with the second varsity holding off their teammates 6:26.0-6:37.2.

The men's four took a comfortable win over Bucknell, as its 7:12.8 was more than 90 seconds faster than their counterparts and 27 seconds faster than Hobart, who won the other fours race. The two later raced each other and Cornell again took first with its time of 7:55.9 nearly 30 seconds ahead of Hobart (8:24.0).

Cornell will race for the Matthews Leonard Cup when welcomes Penn to Cayuga Lake on Saturday, April 9 at 8 a.m.
   

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RESULTS
Varsity Eight
Cornell – 6:17.2
Hobart – 6:30.9

Cornell - 6:07.4
Bucknell - 6:36.7
 
Second Varsity Eight
Cornell - 6:23.1
Bucknell - 6:42.6

Cornell – 6:26.8
Hobart – 6:37.8
 
Third Varsity Eight
Cornell - 6:19.8
Bucknell - 6:50.8

Mixed Eights
Cornell 2v8 – 6:26.0
Cornell 3v8 – 6:37.2
 
Varsity Four
Cornell - 7:12.8
Bucknell - 8:47.6

Cornell 4v4 – 7:55.9
Hobart 3v4 – 8:24.0