PHILADELPHIA - La Salle Crew looks forward to the biggest race of its season, as the Explorers head back to the Schuylkill River for the racing of the historic Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta on Friday and Saturday (5/10-11). The regatta, which welcomes a record number of teams this year, celebrates its 75th anniversary.

The Explorer men will row four boats and the women have entered three. The men's varsity eight, junior varsity eight, novice four and pair will be in action, as will the women's varsity eight, junior varsity eight and novice eight.

The men's pair kicks off the weekend for the Explorers with their heat at 9:15 a.m. on Friday.

The men's crew has tasted success this year, particularly with the novice four capturing four gold medals so far this spring. The novices won gold at the Murphy Cup, Occoquan Sprints, Kerr Cup and Bergen Cup, while advancing to the grand final and capturing bronze at the Knecht Cup.

The varsity eight also medaled this season, earning silver at the Kerr Cup and bronze at the Bergen Cup. The V8 also won the petite final at the Occoquan Sprints and finished second in the petite final at the Murphy Cup.

The junior varsity eight captured silver at the Kerr Cup, its best showing of the season.

Friday will be the fourth race of the season for the pair, which finished third in its heat at the Knecht Cup and fourth at the Kerr Cup.

On the women's side, the varsity eight advanced to the petite finals of both the Murphy Cup and Occoquan Sprints, placing fifth in both races. The Explorers also finished fourth at the Kerr Cup and fourth in the Kelly Cup. The Explorers most recently finished second in the petite final at the Atlantic 10 Championship.

The second varsity eight placed third in the petite final at the Occoquan Sprints.

This year's novice eight captured silver at the Kerr Cup, just two-tenths of a second away from gold. The Explorers topped Villanova and conference rival Fordham in the process. The novices also finished second in the petite final at the Occoquan Sprints, and faced A-10 foe Temple in that race. They also advanced to the semifinal of the Knecht Cup via a third place finish in their heat.

Friday Schedule:

9:15: Men's pair (Lane 5 - 3 to semis)
10:28: Men's varsity eight (Lane 2 - 1st to semis; 2-5 to reps)
11:33: Women's varsity eight (Lane 2 - 1st to semis; 2-5 to reps)
12:19: Men's novice four (Lane 3 - 2 to semis)
3:23: Men's varsity eight reps (Lane 3 - 3 to semis)
3:38: Women's varsity eight reps (Lane 1 - 3 to semis)
4:41: Women's novice eight (Lane 5 - 3 to semis)
5:11: Men's junior varsity eight (Lane 2 - top 2 to final)
5:35: Women's junior varsity eight (Lane 5 - top 2 to final)

Saturday Schedule:

7:38: Men's novice four semifinal (Lane 3 - 2 to final)