PHILADELPHIA, PA - The RIT men’s crew team competed this weekend in the 71st Annual Dad Vail Regatta. Held on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pa., the Vail is North America’s largest collegiate rowing regatta and attracts over 100 schools from the United States and Canada. Having medaled at the State Championship last weekend, The Tigers advanced to the final of the Freshmen/Novice Heavyweight Eight.
Inclement weather conditions mid-week caused the Schuylkill’s water level to rise and the current to increase, infusing the river with debris. To combat the poor racing conditions, the regatta moved to a head race format for Friday, May 8th, with boats competing in a 1500 meter time trial.
The Tigers’ varsity eight finished 22nd of 33 boats in the Varsity Heavyweight Eight time trial, with the top eighteen advancing to the semi-final round. Comprised of coxswain
Dan Knorr (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna), stroke
Cameron Staunch (Fairport, NY/Fairport), seven seat
Kevin Macksamie (Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili), six seat André Jarreau, five seat
Justin Dixon (Factoryville, PA/Lackawanna Trail), four seat
Drew Lawlor (Erie, PA/Fairview), three seat
Brett Fritzsch (North Haledon, NJ/Eastern Christian High School), two seat
Spencer Trafton (Brockport, NY/Brockport) and bow
Chris Guerra ( West Seneca, NY/Canisius), the boat clocked in at 4:12.685.
In the varsity four time trial, coxswain
Alyssa Mulholland (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy), stroke
Bryan Abbott (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury), three seat
Stu Burgess (Buffalo, NY/City Honors), two seat
Jason Gallant (Clinton, ME/Lawrence) and bow
Bryce Salmi (Chelmsford, MA/Chelmsford) finished 34th in the 53-boat field. They clocked in at 4:47.473.
RIT’s novice eight finished 12th in their time-trail, advancing with the top eighteen to the semi-finals. The Tigers’ line-up featured coxswain
Cole Bowden (Bradford, MA/Havemill), stroke
Matthew Hesselink (Kalamazoo, MI/Kalamazoo Christian), seven seat
Evan Martin (McLean, VA/McLean), six seat
Evan Moreshead (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy), five seat Mark Menzenksi, four seat
John Pagano (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic), three seat
Ben Kaiser (Medina, NY/Medina), two seat
Anthony Castaneda (Fairfax, VA/Fairfax) and bow Mike Kitson. The Tigers’ finished second in their semi-final to move on to the final Saturday afternoon. In the final, RIT finished seventh overall in the 31-boat event.
The Dad Vail Regatta was the last race of the season for the Tigers, who graduate three seniors. Completing their collegiate rowing careers are captain André Jarreau, Eric Calogerakis and Jason Gallant.