ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Following the most recent performance of the spring season, the Eckerd College women's sailing program warranted strong consideration for a new spot in the national rankings while the coed unit hosted another regatta in its home waters over the weekend.
The Tritons' women were in contention for the team title at the Emily Wick Trophy in New London, Conn., and the coed unit hosted the SAISA Team Race Championships on Saturday.
After receiving votes in the latest
Sailing World College Rankings presented by Sperry Top-Sider, the women, ranked as high as No. 12 throughout the season, will likely garner attention in the next set of national ratings.
The women finished fifth of 18 teams in the field at Coast Guard and the coed squad sailed to third in the team race district showing.
First-year Eckerd Head Coach
Kevin Reali continued to be pleased with the team's progress as the push for qualification to nationals becomes moved to the forefront.
“It was a good weekend,” summarized Reali. “For the women, it was really nice to have a high point in April after having a low two weeks ago (at Dellenbaugh). I thought we sailed well at the Coed (SAISA) Conference Championships and if we did a few things better, we could have been second. Right now, we're doing well and the next two weekends will be big to get to nationals.”
The coed unit sailed according to the district rankings as top-rated College of Charleston punched its ticket to team race nationals. The University of South Florida claimed second as only three teams from a possible 27 were in attendance.
Racing was ended a little early on Saturday with the winner already determined and the order of finish already stabilized.
“We would have liked to sail better, but we sailed where we were ranked,” said Reali.
Yale University held on to win the women's crown in Connecticut. The Tritons finished Saturday in fourth before polishing off the top-five finish on Sunday with
Kaye Siemers/
Rachel Cruz in “A” division and
Melany Johnson/
Emily Mitchell in “B” division.
“Emily did a lot to help out Melany over the weekend,” he added. “She's a level-headed senior and can handle all of our drivers. I think we'll be back in the national rankings after this weekend.”
The Tritons coed unit is in the midst of the lengthy four-step qualification process for nationals (South Points series to district championships to semifinals to nationals).
The women will look to stake their claim with a possible nationals berth with a strong showing at the Eckerd-hosted SAISA Women's Championship next weekend.
