Women’s Varsity 4+ Wins First-Ever Dad Vail Gold; All Five Drexel Boats Medal

Saturday, May 9

Cooper River / Cherry Hill, N.J.

7:30 a.m.

Drexel University

Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

Women’s Varsity 4+ Wins First-Ever Dad Vail Gold; All Five Drexel Boats Medal

5/9/2026 4:47:00 PM | Women's Rowing

CHERRY HILL, N.J. — The Drexel women's Varsity 4+ team captured gold at the 87th Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta for the first time in program history Saturday morning on the Cooper River. The Dragons' 3rd Varsity 8+ crew also earned gold, while all five Drexel boats medaled. Both programs captured the overall points title for the third consecutive season.

The Varsity 4+ team of Katie O'Donnell (Coxswain), Kari Prosperi (Stroke), Hazel Danko, Paige Hartshorn and River Trotter (Bow) led coast-to-coast in Laura Ludwick White to capture the program's first gold medal in the event. The Dragons held a slight lead over Georgetown at the 500-meter mark, but steadily pulled away and opened up a full boat-length advantage before the final 500 meter mark. Drexel cruised through the finish with a time of 7:28.36, nearly five seconds ahead of the Hoyas.

The 3V8+ team of Grace Demers (Coxswain), Marley Kronemeyer (Stroke), Maddie Kristel, Audrey Swain, Giulia Nevrotski, Sammy Madarang, Paige McFadden, Charlotte Bentrim and Emerson Donahue (Bow) rowed Alleva XVII to a time of 7:17.47, 3.77 over second place Temple. The Dragons jumped out to an early lead, holding a full boat-length advantage by the first 500 meters. The Owls mounted a late charge in the second half of the race, but Drexel responded in the closing stretch to secure the top spot.

The Varsity 8+ team posted a third place finish, finishing the course with a time of 6:38.880. Drexel made a late challenge for second place, but Temple held firm to secure silver and edge Drexel in the closing stages. MIT took gold with a winning time of 6:34.26.

Sarah Ghazaz opened the day with a silver medal in the women's single, clocking 8:50.600. The 2nd Varsity 8+ also earned bronze with a time of 6:56.410. Temple ultimately secured the women's points title.

The Dragons will return to the Cooper River to on Saturday, May 16 to compete in the CAA Championships.

Results

Varsity 8+
1. MIT — 6:34.260
2. Temple — 6:36.990
3. Drexel — 6:38.880
4. Queen's — 6:40.920
5. Fordham — 6:45.320
6. UAlbany — 6:47.170

2nd Varsity 8+
1. Temple — 6:49.960
2. Georgetown — 6:52.030
3. Drexel — 6:56.410
4. Fordham — 7:10.490
5. Monmouth — 7:14.930
6. Saint Joseph's — 7:17.060

3rd Varsity 8+
1. Drexel — 7:17.470
2. Temple — 7:21.240
3. Georgetown — 7:27.850
4. Monmouth — 7:54.680

Varsity 4+
1. Drexel — 7:28.360
2. Georgetown — 7:33.310
3. MIT — 7:35.230
4. Western Ontario — 7:43.750
5. La Salle — 7:44.890
6. Temple — 7:54.440

Varsity Single
2. Drexel (Sarah Ghazaz) — 8:50.600

Lineup
Varsity 8+
Shell: 1990 V8+
Coxswain: Lauren Shaw
Stroke: Ariana Townsend
7: Zoe Page
6: Jaelyn Walsh
5: Hannah Walseth
4: Sabrina Batdorf
3: Alyssa Bucci
2: Michaela Werber
Bow: Lily Gramlich

2nd Varsity 8+
Shell: Jim & Toni Downey
Coxswain Erin Ernst
Stroke: Clara Leimkuhler
7: Ria Jones
6: Lila Seidenberg
5: Heather Humes
4: Valeria Sanango
3: Olivia Duffy
2: Lauren Boyce
Bow: Kieran Harrington

3rd Varsity 8+
Shell: Alleva XVII
Coxswain: Grace Demers
Stroke: Marley Kronemeyer
7: Maddie Kristel
6: Audrey Swain
5: Giulia Nevrotski
4: Sammy Madarang
3: Paige McFadden
2: Charlotte Bentrim
Bow: Emerson Donahue

Varsity 4+
Shell: Laura Ludwick White
Coxswain: Katie O'Donnell
Stroke: Kari Prosperi
3: Hazel Danko
2: Paige Hartshorn
Bow: River Trotter

V1x
Sarah Ghazaz