Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Dad Vail Regatta
Greatest Dad Vail in Drexel Crew History? Dragons Claim Four Medals, Including Two Gold, at 2010 Dad Vail Regatta
5/8/2010 4:58:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
Philadelphia - The Drexel Crew program made another leap forward on a national scale as the Dragons claimed four medals at the 2010 Dad Vail Regatta, including a pair of golds along with a silver and a bronze. The Dragons prevailed in the men's varsity pair and the men's second varsity eight while Drexel took second place in the men's freshman eight while the women's varsity eight finished third. It was the first time Drexel won a medal at Dad Vail since the 2005 season.
Drexel's men's freshman eight was the first boat to medal on the day as the Vince Vidas boat with coxswain Justin Malley, stroke Kurt Linton, Adam Cordi, Tim Drake, Rylan Treffinger, John Kile, Kam Palagi, Zach Antunes and bow Paul Wisniowski battled from a tough placement in lane six. After crossing the midway point in fourth place, Drexel made its move as the Dragons closed on second-place Delaware. The Dragons prevailed at the line over the Blue Hens by just 0.114 seconds to earn the silver medal. Saint Joseph's won the race at 6:03.690 while Drexel's second-place time was 6:05.530 ahead of Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State as well as Delaware.
Drexel's men's varsity pair was the first boat to strike gold as Liam O'Neill at stroke and Pete Schmidt in bow truly put forth a dominating performance on Saturday. After a 19-second victory on Friday in the preliminary heat, the duo cruised in the semifinals by more than 10 seconds to earn its place in the grand final. After a close first 1000 meters, O'Neill and Schmidt picked up the pace to take a lead on the field. No other boat was able to keep up as the duo crossed the line at 7:17.430, more than three seconds better than second-place St. Thomas and more than seven seconds better than third-place Fairfield to win the Bob Negaard Cup as the Dad Vail Champion in the men's varsity pair. Colgate, Pitt and Penn State took fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
The Dragons added to its gold medal count with a triumph in the men's second varsity eight but not without controversy. The Annette Pennoni boat with coxswain Steve Matyas, stroke Filip Topalovic, Gregg Francis, Marty Khait, Chris Hillenbrand, Ernesto Del Valle, Lorenzo Albala, Michael Golden and bow Pat McGann faced stiff competition but the boat was able to hold off second-place Marietta as the Dragons crossed at 7:10.885 while Marietta finished at 7:12.651. Temple took third while Emory, Jacksonville and Virginia finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. As Jacksonville crossed the line, the boat's coxswain immediately requested a protest. Temple followed suit by also filing a protest with both schools claiming that the high winds made for unfair racing conditions. Jacksonville withdrew its protest but Temple had its protest turned down as the Dragons were eventually awarded their gold medals and the Ernie Bayer Trophy as the Dad Vail Champion in men's second varsity eight nearly two hours after the completion of the race.
After earning a No. 5 seed thanks in large part to claiming the Kelly Cup two weeks earlier, the Drexel women's varsity eight looked to prove it belonged with the best in the nation on Saturday. The Dragons opened eyes early as the boat of coxswain Cate Khella, stroke Candice Webb, Dana Haneman, Julia Jackson, Mallory Sykes, Juliana DeMarici, Emily Coyle, Cassie Clawson and bow Mary Kain won its semifinal by more than five seconds over higher-seeded Buffalo, the Colonial Athletic Association women's varsity eight champion. The performance gave Drexel lane four in the grand finals where the boat took the bronze medal by defeating defending Dad Vail champ Grand Valley, former Dad Vail champ Purdue as well as Buffalo once again. Drexel finished at 7:11.971 more than five second better than fourth-place Purdue. Cal-Sacramento took gold while Saint Joseph's claimed second place.
Drexel had one other boat qualify for the grand finals as the women's second varsity eight in the Marlene Buckley with coxswain Alex Paulin, stroke Natasha Martines, Mollie Cusack, Alexa Antonioli, Jami Ruane, Colleen Owens, Samantha Cowan, Megan Bush and bow Asiya Mahmud just missed out on a medal by finishing in fourth place. Buffalo won the race with a time of 8:01.583 while Cal-Sacramento took second at 8:09.819 while Saint Joseph's claimed third at 8:14.385. Drexel finished at 8:30.813, ahead of San Diego State and Delaware.
Players Mentioned
