Results
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Eckerd College coed sailing program rang in the new year and closed the fall season by competing at the promotional 28th annual Rose Bowl over the weekend hosted by the University of Southern California.
The Tritons concluded Saturday with a third-place showing and settled for an impressive seventh in the competitive field of 30 following Sunday's series of races.
EC came into the regatta receiving four votes in the Sperry Top-Sider
Sailing World Rankings in the final poll before the spring commences.
With 60 high school teams and 30 colleges in attendance, the atmosphere at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club was very accommodating. Featuring a special dinner and forum throughout the weekend's festivities, each college program had a chance to make a pitch about the status of its program.
“We did really well on the first day and were as high as second but settled for third,” EC assistant coach
Zack Marks said. “On the second day, we didn't do quite as well. It might have been a little bit breezier, but we weren't getting of the starting line like we wanted.”
“It was a great event and everyone had a great time,” he added.
Two student-athletes in Eckerd's traveling party with Marks were California products and enjoyed a homecoming of sorts, including senior
Wes Byrne and sophomore
Tony Collins, who both grew up in Redondo Beach.
Byrne was Eckerd's public speaker during the forum to the high school audience.
Senior
Emily Mitchell and freshman
Jessica Resnick also competed on the water as crew members for the Tritons.
Stanford University rallied to claim the title over the College of Charleston in the final standings. Point Loma High School (Gold Division) extended its dominance at the Rose Bowl, winning its seventh straight crown.
The Tritons will officially break into the spring campaign Feb. 9-10 on their home waters in Boca Ciega Bay, serving as the host institution to the SAISA Open.
