May 13, 2011
PHILADELPHIA - Three La Salle boats, including both novice eights, advanced to Saturday's semifinals of the historic Dad Vail Regatta on the Schuylkill River. The men's varsity pair also moved on to Saturday's races.
"It was a strong performance today on the freshmen part," Head Coach Larry Connell said. "We're a little disappointed that the varsity [boats] weren't able to get through the repechages, but they did get to the repechages. I realize we have a young team and we have a lot of potential in our future."
The men's novice eight placed third in its heat with a time of 6:41.38. The top three in each heat moved on, and the Explorers bested fourth place George Mason by nearly 19 seconds to easily advance. Virginia won the heat by clocking 6:29.69. The Explorers are set to row at 8:13 AM.
The women's novice eight also placed third to automatically advance to semis. The Explorers crossed the finish line in 7:27.62, also easily advancing with a nearly 26 second win over fourth place Buffalo. The top three boats were tight, as the Explorers finished just 6.5 seconds behind the winner, Atlantic 10 rival Dayton (7:21.11). Grand Valley was second in 7:24.97. The Explorers row at 8:01 AM on Saturday.
"[The novice boats are] going to be challenged now that half the field is eliminated," Connell added. "They're going to be challenged with the elite field which is left, so it's going to be a lot of fun to watch."
The men's varsity pair also advanced to Saturday's semifinals via a third place finish in its heat. The Explorers clocked a 7:41.15, over 14 seconds ahead of fourth place Mary Washington. Pittsburgh won the heat in 7:30.66 followed by Rollins in 7:36.56. The men's pair semi is set for 9:00 AM.
Also rowing on Friday were the women's varsity four along with the men's and women's varsity eights. Both varsity eights advanced to reps before being eliminated. The men finished fourth in the heats with a 6:20.95, and also finished fourth in reps with a 6:27.25. The top two boats in reps advanced to Saturday's races.
The women's varsity eight also finished fourth in the heats, clocking a 7:22.47. They rowed in the reps later in the afternoon, finishing sixth with a time of 7:41.38. The top two women's V8's in reps also advanced to Saturday.
The women's varsity four finished fourth in the heats to be eliminated. The top three in each heat advanced to the semis. The Explorers raced an 8:09.71, missing reps by just over three seconds as Georgia Tech finished third with an 8:06.37.
Saturday's grand finals will be televised on 6ABC and ESPN3.com. The Explorers' Alumni Tent will also be back at the river around the 250-meter mark.
Friday, May 13 Results
Dad Vail Regatta
Schuylkill River | Philadelphia, PA
Men's Varsity 8 Heat: 1. Michigan (6:00.64), 2. Purdue (6:03.68), 3. Marietta (6:13.10), 4. La Salle (6:20.95), 5. Washington College (6:29.85)
Men's Varsity 8 Repechage: 1. Michigan State (6:16.95), 2. George Mason (6:19.16), 3. Vermont (6:23.91), 4. La Salle (6:27.25)
Women's Varsity 8 Heat: 1. Buffalo (6:53.88), 2. Massachusetts (6:55.80), 3. Ohio State (7:10.61), 4. La Salle (7:22.47), 5. Binghamton (7:30.26), 6. Penn State (7:52.51)
Women's Varsity 8 Repechage: 1. Jacksonville (7:04.53), 2. Temple (7:11.59), 3. Ohio State (7:18.91), 4. Lehigh (7:28.72), 5. Binghamton (7:37.44), 6. La Salle (7:41.38)
Men's Varsity Pair Heat: 1. Pittsburgh (7:30.66), 2. Rollins (7:36.56), 3. La Salle (7:41.15), 4. Mary Washington (7:55.53), 5. Bowdoin (7:59.13), 6. Skidmore (8:30.69)
Women's Varsity Four Heat: 1. Bucknell (7:54.36), 2. Delaware (8:00.29), 3. Georgia Tech (8:06.37), 4. La Salle (8:09.71), 5. Purdue (8:21.34), 6. Albany (8:31.90)
Men's Novice Eight Heat: 1. Virginia (6:29.69), 2. Minnesota (6:38.03), 3. La Salle (6:41.38), 4. George Mason (7:00.27), 5. Fordham (7:10.61)
Women's Novice Eight Heat: 1. Dayton (7:21.11), 2. Grand Valley (7:24.97), 3. La Salle (7:27.62), 4. Buffalo (7:53.04), 5. College of New Jersey (8:39.40), 6. Lafayette (9:09.53)
Saturday Schedule:
8:01 AM - Women's Novice Eight Semifinal
8:13 AM - Men's Novice Eight Semifinal
9:00 AM - Men's Varsity Pair Semifinal
2:03 PM - Women's Novice Eight Final (Sara Vaughan Trophy)
2:13 PM - Men's Novice Eight Final (Lev Brett Bowl)
2:33 PM - Men's Varsity Pair Final (Bob Negaard Cup)
