NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's rowing team hosted the Fall Metropolitan Regatta/Grimaldi Cup at Orchard Beach Lagoon.  The highlights of the day for the Gaels were second and third place finishes in separate heats of the Varsity 4.

The A boat, led by coxswain Michelle Steinberg, posted a time of 9:06 to come in behind Dowling and Fordham and ahead of MAAC rival Fairfield.  In the second heat of the Varsity 4, Iona claimed a runner-up finish with a time of 8:59.  The Maroon & Gold also participated in the third and final heat of the event, finishing fourth in 10:14.

"The A and B women's fours had really good races," said head coach Thomas Scifres.  "The A four was able to move through Fairfield in the last 500m.  Michelle Steinberg called the sprint very early and the boat just picked up out of the water.  It was a truly great sprint."

Iona's entry in the Varsity 8 came home in fourth place.  On the novice side the Gaels were the class of the field in the Novice 8, finishing first in a short course time of 5:11 which was 16 seconds ahead of second place Fordham.  Iona raced two boats in the Novice 4, finishing second and third in their respective heats.

"For all but two this was their first race on the collegiate level and they had a successful day," added head novice coach John Boyd.  "There is still plenty of work to be done to lessen the margin between us and the crews who covered the 2000m course faster than we did."

Next on the schedule is the Dowling Alumni Cup Regatta, being held on Nov. 7.