PHILADELPHIA, PA - The RIT women’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 in the varsity four and novice eight at the State Championship last weekend, The Tigers advanced to the final of the Division II-III Varsity Heavyweight Four.
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’ novice eight finished twentieth of thirty-three boats in the Freshmen/Novice Heavyweight Eight time trial, with the top eighteen advancing to the semi-final round. Featuring coxswain
Eileen Kobal (Erie, PA/Fairview), stroke
Ariel Leitao (Newton, MA/Tabor Academy), seven seat
Erin Mooney (Dayton, OH/Oakwood), six seat
Erica Gantz (Rosendale, NY/Rondout Valley), five seat
Kristina Lozar (Brooklyn, NY/Adelphi Academy), four seat
Allison Doster (Syracuse, NY/LaFayette), three seat
Anne Wapshare (Blasdell, NY/Immaculata Academy), two seat
Emily Burns (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) and bow
Samantha Whalen (Westfield, MA/Westfield), the boat clocked in at 5:19.75.
The varsity four finished eighth overall in the time trail with a time of 5:20.9, securing a lane in the semi-finals. The stake boats were in place for Saturday’s racing, however the 2,000 meter course was not buoyed. The Tigers won their semi-final with a time of 5:15.441 in one of their strongest races of the season. RIT’s four featured coxswain
Hannah Westall (Williamstown, NY/Mount Greylock), stroke
Alli LaChance (Pompey, NY/Fabius-Pompey), three seat
Ashley Pastor (Poughkeepsie, NY/F.D. Roosevelt), two seat
Deb Howell (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) and bow
Alex King (Wilmington, DE/St. Elizabeth). In the final,RIT finished fifth overall in the 29-boat field.
The Dad Vail Regatta was the last race of the season for the Tigers, who do not graduate any seniors. Coach Fredyne Yust said of the year, “We had a great year. Racing the two boats gave us the opportunity to develop fifteen promising oarswomen, and I’m so proud of the hard work they put in and the strides they made. We had great support from parents, friends and alumni, and we’re already looking forward to next year!”