Pioneer Navy advance three boats out of prelims at Dad Vails

May 13, 2005
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Marietta College's opening heat at the 67th annual Dad Vail regatta went just as Head Coach John Bancheri wanted it to go Friday (May 13). His Varsity Eight and Freshman/Novice Eights shells advanced to the Saturday's semifinals by winning their heats, while the JV Eight moved on to the finals after placing first in its race.

The Varsity Eight took control of its race early and was able to coast to a six-second victory over Mercyhurst (PA), its closest competitor. The Pioneers crossed the line in 5:57.74. The Lakers finished second (6:03.63), while Lehigh (6:05.19), Northwestern (IL) (6:10.53), Kansas (6:21.69) and William & Mary (VA) (6:26.05) rounded out third through sixth in the heat. The victory advances Marietta to the semis, where it will face Temple, Georgia Tech, Williams and RIT.

The Varsity Eights sits from bow Kyle Fitzgerald, Matt Henwood, Karl Biermann, Evan Tsourtsoulas, Mark Dolson, Mike Ross, Rob Johnson, stroke Chuck Gowdy and coxswain Devin Ohman.

Marietta's Freshman/Novice Eight crossed the line in 6:25.38 to win its heat over Florida Tech (6:28.74), Jacksonville (6:32.54), St. Joseph (6:32.76), Trent (6:37.78) and Albany (7:59.06). With the win, the Pioneers advance to take on Army, William & Mary, Minnesota and Delaware in tomorrow's semifinals.

The Freshman/Novice Eight boat sits from bow Dan Schall, Matt Cascaddan, Peter Seymour, Tom Gray, Brent Wright, Justin Callaham, Alex DelSordo stroke David McIntire and coxswain Tim Rinehart.

The Pioneer Navy's Junior Varsity Eight, which includes bow Andy Coniglio, Eric Dowler, Chase Graham, Jon Carlon, Brent Keuch, Steve Wynne, Peter Lorenz, stroke Chuck Geyer and coxswain Joe Lincke, claimed a win in its semifinal race Friday. Marietta finished in 6:38.13, just ahead of Navy (6:38.55). RIT (7:00.08), Minnesota (7:00.23) and Drexel (7:35.33) also finished behind the Pioneers in the race.

The only Marietta boat not to advance to Saturday's action was the Lightweight Four. The shell came in fifth in its heat with a time of 7:20.39. Fordham (7:11.21) won the heat, while Central Florida (7:14.31) took second.

Marietta's lightweight four includes bow Steve DiPardo, Chris Engler, Charles Reynolds, stroke David Himes and coxswain Kristen Sukolsky.

Action concludes Saturday on the Schuylkill.