Results
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Seniors
Colleen McClung and
Solvig Sayre put the finishing touches on their accomplished four-year careers as the Eckerd College women's sailing program concluded the ICSA National Championship Finals on a strong note.
The Tritons finished just as they started from yesterday's results, sailing for the fourth consecutive day on the water, to place 11th in the field of 18.
Friday's sailing featured seven sets of races and plenty of movement up and down the leaderboard before Dartmouth College outdueled Yale University for the team title and ultimately, the Gerald C. Miller Trophy.
Eckerd finished tied for 10th with Boston College with 328 points before determined head-to-head tiebreaker criteria gave the Eagles edge over the Tritons in the final standings.
McClung and Sayre sailed for the last time together at Eckerd in "B" Division while the team of
Melany Johnson, with all three of
Brianna Green,
Heidi Carlson and
Jessica Resnick, exceled at the highest level as a junior and sophomores, respectively.
"The seniors were a big part of my transition into the program," stated EC head coach
Kevin Reali. "I saw them grow competitively as people and as student-athletes. I'm proud of how they grew and adjusted. It was so satisfying to see them perform well at their last event."
Light wind caused racing to move along slowly, but still resulted in an exciting conclusion to the women's season. Throughout Thursday and Friday, the Tritons sailed to as high as ninth place and as low as 15th.
Despite the same score as last year that resulted in 11th overall, Reali's final assessment was compelling as he billed this year's championship as the 'most competitive regatta ever held in college women's sailing.' Close racing and seeding contributed to his conclusion.
"We finished the same as last year, but it was a bigger accomplishment in this year's field," he added. "It was a gritty effort; it's a place they should be proud of. To come out beating seven teams in the finals is really good; one must remember that this field starts at over 100 teams before elimination rounds begin. We didn't quite make top 10, but it was really close. We beat some really great teams including the Stanford Cardinals."
The Tritons impressed with a runner-up finish in a race from Johnson/Resnick while each division came through with a third-place effort. "B" Division carried the team on Thursday. On Friday, "A" Division shined by finishing in the top eight during five of the seven races this afternoon.
Reali will coach his coed unit on the national stage following the conclusion of team racing. The Tritons are scheduled to compete in Saint Mary's City on June 3 in the Semifinals.
