CHARLESTON, S.C. – The lengthy process to qualifying for a chance at national prominence continued as the Eckerd College coed sailing program took another step in the right direction at the SAISA Coed Conference Championships on Saturday.
The Tritons finished third of 12 and contended for runner-up status throughout the day as host College of Charleston and the University of South Florida ended up with the top two spots in the final standings.
Eckerd now turns its sights to Semifinals in Hampton, Va., later this month on April 27-28 after qualifying for one of the limited entries today.
“We expected to qualify to semifinals and this is the track to go nationals,” explained EC Head Coach
Kevin Reali. “But we have to sail better than we did in March to make it. If we peak at the right time like we did today, I think we have a pretty good shot.”
As a prerequisite to compete in the SAISA Coed Championships, the Tritons met the required standard with their performance in the South Points series spanning the fall and spring. The top six SAISA teams from the North and South competed in the 12-team field on Saturday.
EC finished first in the SP standings during the fall and was second during the spring campaign in the South Points regattas.
Six programs from today's SAISA Coed Championships moved on to earn a berth into Semifinals. The top half in the field at each semifinal event in Virginia will ultimately qualify for nationals.
The University of Florida, University of Miami and Georgia Tech University also qualified for Semifinals in addition to the College of Charleston, USF and Eckerd.
Representing the Tritons in the “A” division were
Wes Byrne and
Jessica Resnick while
Tony Collins and
Ann Williamson led the way in the “B” division.
Before competing in Semifinals later this month, the Tritons will play host to the SAISA Team Race Championships next weekend in Boca Ciega Bay.
