PHILADELPHIA – Villanova saw impressive third-place and eighth-place finishes from its V4 and V8 boats, highlighting the team's showing at the Navy Day Regatta on Sunday. That boats' finishes are the best for Villanova Rowing in its three trips to the regatta in head coach
Carissa Adams' nine years at the helm.
"As a program, this has been the most successful showing at the Navy Day Regatta since my arrival," Adams said. "I believe the results are an indication of all the work these athletes have put in to rejuvenate our team culture. We had every senior participate today and we must recognize that their commitment to our program is laying the foundation for the future athletes who will be competing for the V."
Madison Girard,
Maggie Coyne,
Kira Capaldi,
Sarah Robillard and
Kara Dempsey logged a 15:44.34 time in its third-place finish. They were just over 30 seconds out of first place with Penn's A team winning in 15:22.77. The 'Cats trailed closely behind Georgetown's A team that crossed second in 15:32.57.
The finish surpasses the previous high of ninth place that was seen by the V4 back in 2019.
Villanova's V8 also turned in a program-best under Adams in the Collegiate 8+ on Sunday.
In a Collegiate 8+ field of 26 boats, Villanova's V8 shell of
Cate Donnelly,
Maggie Coyne,
Kira Capaldi,
Sarah Robillard,
Kara Dempsey,
Jadyn Ramos,
Cecilia Jenkins,
Isabella Thorne and
Anna Flynn finished eighth with a time of 14:15.48. Both the 2019 and 2022 appearances in the regatta saw Villanova's best finish in the Collegiate 8+ be 13
th place showings.
Villanova had two boats finish in the top 15 of the field of 36 for the Collegiate 4+ Final. The 3V4 group of
Gianna Zajac,
Grace Quirk,
Makenna Davis,
Julia Kreisl and
Isabella Thorne crossed in 16:14.29 to take 11
th in the field. Villanova's 2V4 –
Olivia Kachurak,
Hannah Jenkins,
Sabrina Pauli,
Sage Santora and
Silvana Torres – was 25
th with a time of 16:58.77.
"Words can't express how proud I am of every single athlete and the effort they put forward today," Adams said. "Coaching this group is so much fun as they are hungry to up-level this team. The intention they are bringing to practice daily paid dividends on the racecourse today and I am looking forward to continuing to work with every team member to help them realize their true potential."
The next event on the fall slate will keep Villanova in Philadelphia for the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta on Saturday, Oct. 28.
