PENNSAUKEN, N.J. – Rutgers women’s crew raced at the 2009 ECAC Metro Championships on Saturday, May 2, at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, N.J.

Rutgers advanced to the grand finals in three races as the varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight put forth strong performances in their respective heats.

The novice eight won its heat in a time of 7:22.970, finishing ahead of UMass (7:26.260) in second and George Washington (7:29.750) in third. The Scarlet Knights returned in the grand final, besting Villanova, UMass, George Washington, and Fairfield to earn a silver medal in 7:13.700

RU’s varsity eight and second varsity eight each finished third in its heat. The varsity eight posted a time of 7:10.020 advancing to the grand finals where it placed sixth in a time of 6:55.100. The second varsity eight clocked a heat time of 7:15.010, behind Princeton and Rhode Island before moving on to the grand final. In the finals of the second varsity eight, Rutgers finished fifth with a time of 7:18.750.

The Scarlet Knights took fifth in the heat of the varsity four, clocking a time of 8:41.600. RU went on to the third level final, placing fourth with a time of 8:43.660.

Rutgers will break for competition for the next two weeks before returning to the water for the EAWRC Sprints on Sunday, May 17 at Cooper River Park.