May 6, 2009
Looking to close the 2009 spring season with a strong burst of momentum, the Dayton Flyers head to Philadelphia for the Dad Vail Regatta from May 7-8.
Dayton will be rowing in the Varsity 8, Novice 8, Lightweight 8 and for the first time this season a pair.
The Flyers are coming off their second consecutive fourth place finish at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Rowing Championship. UD recorded a program-record 102 points at the event two weeks ago.
Senior Allison Gates earned a First Team, All-Atlantic 10 selection, while senior Kate Athmer and junior Cydne Mason garnered Second Team, All-Atlantic 10 honors.
If the Flyers have one advantage heading into the regatta, it's a familiarity with the course. Dayon has competed on the Schuylkill River twice this season. UD participated in the Murphy Cup and in a three-team event against Saint Joseph's and Connecticut.
Held on the Schuylkill River, this will be the sixth and final event for Dayton during the 2009 spring season.
UD has had excellent showings recently at the Dad Vail. Last season Dayton's Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 8 each reached the semifinals.
The Varsity 8 clocked a 6:33.9 in their heat on Friday for a second place finish that advanced them straight to the semifinals on Saturday. In a fast semifinal, UD clocked a 6:31.1 to finish fifth, just seconds out of making the petite final.
The Second Varsity 8 placed third in their Friday heat with a time of 6:43.3 which allowed them to advance to semifinals the following day. In the semifinals UD placed fourth with a time of 6:44.7, which did not allow them to advance to the finals.
The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States. More than 100 schools have entered to date. More than 30 states will be represented along with several Canadian provinces making up a field of 115 colleges, universities and service academies.
The Dad Vail is named for an early 20th century rowing coach, Harry Emerson "Dad" Vail of the University of Wisconsin. He was held in such fond regard by the Penn founders, Lev Bret and `Rusty' Callow, that they named the regatta for him.
