HAMILTON — Colgate men's rowing opens its spring season Saturday, competing against Temple on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, N.J. The Raiders' varsity eight will race at 8:40 a.m., and the varsity four will follow at 8:50 a.m.
 
The 1V8 was ranked No. 24 in the IRCA D1/D2 V8+ Preseason Coaches Poll. Senior Lucca Figlioli also earned recognition, being named to the IRCA Athlete Watch List.
 
"We had a solid fall season and some good training over the winter. We are a young team this year, and expect some ups and downs as we go through the spring season and develop our speed on the race course," said assistant coach Eric Summers.
 
Colgate competed in three regattas during the fall season. The 1V8 raced at the Head of the Charles, placing eighth out of 42 and marking the second-straight top-10 finish at the regatta.
 
At the Head of the Schuylkill, the 1V8 took sixth, the Club Championship Eights finished 29th, and the novice collegiate fours placed sixth.
 
The Raiders concluded the fall at the Princeton Chase, with six boats competing, highlighted by an eighth-place finish by the varsity eight. The Raiders also raced a second eight that placed 11th and a quad that took third.
 
Last spring, Colgate's varsity eight picked up victories at the Knecht Cup and the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship. The crew also took third at the Dad Vail Regatta and notched a 20th-place result at the IRA National Championship.
 
Following the race on Saturday, the Raiders will compete at the Knecht Cup in Camden, N.J. (April 13-14). Colgate then travels south for the SIRA Championship (April 20-21) in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Raiders take a few weeks off before competing at the Dad Vail Regatta (May 10-11). The IRA National Championship will be held May 31-June 2 in Princeton, N.J.