After a four year absence in attending the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta, this year’s 75th Anniversary, the RIT women’s crew squad got back on the medal stand earning a bronze medal on Saturday, May 10. The crew of #Dani Absi#, #Devan Musa#, #Morgan Mowins#, #Alex Kilgore#, and #Nicole Conway# raced down the course in lane three against Bowdoin, Barry, Wheaton, Florida State, and Mercyhurst.
With a rain storm closing in on the Philadelphia area, racing conditions were rough with wind and choppy water. Crews had difficulty getting into the stake boats. Once the shells were aligned, the starter called, “Attention, go!” The Tigers had a solid start and moved out into the front of the pack with Bowdoin and Barry. Stroke seat Musa settled into an aggressive rhythm with her crew. By the 1,000 meter mark Bowdoin opened up a boat length lead with RIT right on their stern and Barry even with the Tigers. By the 1,500 meter mark, Bowdoin increased their lead by a length of open water and Barry was up on RIT by half a boat length. Passing the island all crews began sprinting early to gain an advantage. Bowdoin crossed the finish line first in a time of 7:33.581. Barry held off the Tigers for a silver medal finish in a time of 7:39.521. The Tigers finished third with a time of 7:42.639, holding off a charging Wheaton crew that was one second behind. Further back was Florida State finishing fifth in a time of 8:00.083, followed by Mercyhurst for sixth in a time of 8:00.335.
Earlier in the morning, RIT's varsity four won its semi-final to advance to the grand final, finishing in a time of 7:47.309. Mercyhurst finished second followed by Wheaton, Dowling, Cal-San Diego, and Amherst. The Tigers took control of the race from start to finish.
