University of Delaware Athletics
Rowing's Freshman/Novice 8 Medals at Dad Vail Regatta
5/13/2024 9:20:00 AM | Rowing
CHERRY HILL, N.J. – University of Delaware rowing competed at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta this past weekend, with the Freshman/Novice 8 highlighting Delaware with a bronze medal.
COACH'S QUOTE
"The level of competition at the Dad Vail this year was high, and the racing atmosphere was electric," assistant coach Kirby Droogan said. "It was a great opportunity for 19 of our athletes to compete at this regatta. We're grateful to the Dad Vail committee for hosting this event and for welcoming Delaware Rowing back after five years!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
Freshman/Novice 8
NOTES
Up Next
Delaware will compete at the CAA Championships at the Cooper River in New Jersey on May 17 and 18.
Lineups
Varsity 8
Mary Ann Hitchens
C - Amina Mai
8 - Grace Marburger
7 - Natalija Penev
6 - Elizabeth Fowler
5 - Sienna White
4 - Hannah Carlisle
3 - Drew Shiley
2 - Sarah Hershberger
1 - Laura Gosnell
Freshman/Novice 8
C - Emma Szydlow
8 - Lizzie Palmer
7 - Lillian Beard
6 - Eleaj Steiner
5 - Alessia Foresta
4 - Molly Liggett
3 - Sophie Murray
2 - Chloe Kappen
1 - Samantha Yuen
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware rowing, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
COACH'S QUOTE
"The level of competition at the Dad Vail this year was high, and the racing atmosphere was electric," assistant coach Kirby Droogan said. "It was a great opportunity for 19 of our athletes to compete at this regatta. We're grateful to the Dad Vail committee for hosting this event and for welcoming Delaware Rowing back after five years!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
Freshman/Novice 8
- In Friday morning's time trial, the Freshman/Novice 8+ clocked in third overall with a time of 8:44.829. Later that afternoon in the semi-finals, they had a time of 8:30.420, bested by both Monmouth and Temple by five seconds. Their finish in the semifinal granted them progression into the Grand Final the next day. On Saturday afternoon in the Grand Final, the Hens charged down the course from lane 6. They battled familiar opponent Temple and lane 5 West Point in the opening strokes of the race, before putting their bow ball ahead and commanding their position. They trailed CAA competitor Monmouth, and Wisconsin Lightweights through the body of the race, before crossing the line in third place with a time of 7:59.582. A large Delaware contingent of family, friends, and fans welcomed them at the awards dock, where they received their bronze medals.
- Facing formidable opposition, the Varsity 8+ crew lead by coxswain Amina Mai started Friday's racing with a ninth-overall finish in the time trial with a time of 8:16.757. The next morning, the Blue Hens put down a fifth-place time in the semi-final, with an 8:24.409, which earned them a spot in the petite finals. Later that evening in the finals, Delaware raced down the course in Lane 2 to a third-place finish with a time of 8:28.890.
NOTES
- The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest collegiate regatta in the USA. Thousands of athletes from more than 100 domestic and international colleges/universities competed in the 85th annual event.
- Racing took place at the Cooper River Race Course in Cherry Hill, NJ.
- Both Delaware crews raced in time trials, semifinals, and finals, with racing spread across two days.
- All crews were challenged by Friday's conditions, which included rain, a strong headwind, and choppy water. Saturday's conditions were more favorable with partly sunny skies, a mild headwind, and calmer water.
- This year's racing marked our team's return to the regatta after five years.
- Delaware Rowing last competed in the F/N 8+ at the 2019 Dad Vail, where the crew finished in sixth overall.
- Delaware Rowing last competed in the Varsity 8+ at the 2017 Dad Vail, where the crew also finished sixth overall.
- This year's third-place result in Freshmen/Novice 8+ is Delaware's highest finish in the event since 2016.
- All races can be replayed from the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJrBZdqrVkI&list=PL4sElGIg6DHEAruvNmYwTiMCsEVjoQ3td
- Full race results: https://results.regattatiming.com/backoffice/webpages/results/summary.jsp?raceId=587
Up Next
Delaware will compete at the CAA Championships at the Cooper River in New Jersey on May 17 and 18.
Lineups
Varsity 8
Mary Ann Hitchens
C - Amina Mai
8 - Grace Marburger
7 - Natalija Penev
6 - Elizabeth Fowler
5 - Sienna White
4 - Hannah Carlisle
3 - Drew Shiley
2 - Sarah Hershberger
1 - Laura Gosnell
Freshman/Novice 8
C - Emma Szydlow
8 - Lizzie Palmer
7 - Lillian Beard
6 - Eleaj Steiner
5 - Alessia Foresta
4 - Molly Liggett
3 - Sophie Murray
2 - Chloe Kappen
1 - Samantha Yuen
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware rowing, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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