Results
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Making its official debut as a full-time member of the athletics department, the Eckerd College coed sailing program began a new year by competing at the South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association (SAISA) Open over the weekend.
The Tritons placed fourth in the two-day event out of 18 teams as assistant coach
Zack Marks traveled with junior
Walker Banks, junior
Erik Brydges, freshman
Samuel Scales, senior
Kaye Siemers and sophomores
Amanda Smith and
Ann Williamson.
Between the “A” and “B” divisions, Eckerd totaled 137 points as host College of Charleston was crowned the team winner.
The University of South Florida (93 points) and another unit from the College of Charleston (116 points) rounded out the top three programs, respectively.
“It helps us to see where we're at during the beginning of the year,” Marks said. “It's a little bit of a warm-up. The event was competitive and the points contribute to end-of-the year qualifying for districts.”
The Tritons sailed on Saturday in a cove named Crab Bank before switching to Cooper River on Sunday, effectively changing the elements of racing.
The scoring for sailing is comparable to golf. As Marks described, it's not about your best score; it's about your worst score and maintaining a consistent average.
The Tritons' coed squad had received nine votes in the Sperry Top-Sider
Sailing World College Rankings while the women were rated No. 15.
Marks and EC Head Coach
Kevin Reali will be sending out a strong fleet next weekend to compete at the Nevins Trophy event in Kings Island, N.Y. Again, Eckerd will be sailing on Saturday and Sunday.
“It's a high-caliber event,” Marks said regarding the Nevins Trophy. “We'll see how we stack up against other nationally-ranked schools.”
