Alabama Rows in Dad Vail Regatta Championship Final
5/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. - In just its second season as an NCAA program, the Alabama Rowing team has already put a team in the Grand Finals of the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta and another in the Second Final on the Schuylkill River.
The 70th Dad Vail, the largest collegiate regatta in the United States with over 100 schools from the U.S. and Canada, was as strong finish for Alabama's season.
"I think we surprised some people with how far we've come in just our second year as an NCAA program," head coach Larry Davis said. "We had a good year and have set ourselves up very well going into next season. With each race, our ladies learned a little bit more about what it takes to compete at this level, to be successful at this level."
The Crimson Tide finished fourth in the Grand Finals of the Novice 8+, posting a time of 6:51.86. Grand Valley won the race with a 6:44.68. Alabama earned its spot in the finals after finishing second in the semis, crossing the line with a 6:44.68, just behind St. Joseph's 6:40.1 and edging out Ohio State, which finished with a 6:50.1.
"While we're pleased with how we did this weekend and this season, we're not satisfied," Davis said. "There is more work to be done and more to be accomplished. Our ladies are already hungry to start next season."
The Tide took fourth in the Second Final of the First Varsity 8+, turning in a 6:46.88. Alabama's effort put them 10th out of 40 boats. The Tide advanced to the Second Final after finishing third in the semi-finals with a time of 6:30.25.
"This weekend was a little bittersweet in that it was the final event for our seniors who have been instrumental in moving us from club to an NCAA program," Davis said. "They should be very proud of what they've done to get us to this point so quickly."
All five of the boats Alabama sent to Philadelphia advanced to the semi-final round of the Dad Vail. Alabama's Second Varsity 8+ finished fourth in its semi-finals, turning in a 6:44.36 which put it 11th out of 26 entries.
In the 4+ races, the Tide Novice squad was fifth in its semi-finals heat with a time of 7:41.6 while the Varsity was sixth in its heat with a time of 7:36.92. The Varsity 4+ was 17th out of 50 boats while the Novice 4+ was 10th out of 45.
