Villanova Varsity Challenges Drexel in Opening Duel.

In the first Philadelphia appearance of the 2015 Season, the Villanova Wildcats walked away with some of the strongest results in program history. 

In the most exciting race of the day, Villanova's Varsity 8+ jumped off the line and pushed out to an early length lead over Drexel's Varsity 8+. Coming into the bridge the Dragons, in Lane 2, pushed back into the Wildcats (Lane 1) who still held a 6 seat advantage. Passing the halfway mark the Wildcats lead had diminished to a four seats advantage over the Drexel Varsity 8+ and a full length over the Drexel Second Varsity boat. Drexel continued to chip away at the Villanova lead through the third 500 meter mark but not by much. As both crews shifted into the sprint with 400 meters to go, Villanova held a three seat advantage. Approximately 200 meters later Drexel had taken their first lead right when it counted, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of Villanova. Drexel's Varsity 8+ covered the 2000m course in 5:39.5, Villanova's in 5:41.0, Drexel's Second Eight clocked 5:43.1 and LaSalle finished with 5:57.2.

First year head coach Sean McKenna was "Disappointed that we were unable to capitalize on a well executed race, but we're all motivated by our progress and eager to change the outcome at the next opportunity."

The Wildcats drew on the novices to fill out the Junior Varsity and Freshman Eights. The remaining two varsity athletes switched into the Freshman 8+ and finished 3rd of 4 in the Junior Varsity Race. The Freshmen 8+ finished 4th of 4 behind Drexel and LaSalle.

The Wildcats next official race will be March 28th at the Murphy Cup Regatta hosted by Temple University and held in Camden, NJ. 

LINEUPS

 RESULTS (Thanks to Row2K)

Varsity 8+
- Cox: Brandon Dorenkott '17
 - 8: Spencer Chipman '15
 - 7: Jack Holden '17
 - 6: Christian Helmon '16
 - 5: Austin Neri '17
 - 4: Mike McCarthy '17
 - 3: Christian Virgilio '16
 - 2: Andrew Prephan '17
 - 1: Joe Weaver '17

Junior Varsity 8+
- Cox: Alexandra Evans '17
 - 8: Tim Philips '17
 - 7: Frazier Fernandez '18
 - 6: Matthew McDevitt '18
 - 5: Tom McElheney '17
 - 4: Matias Sejersen '18
 - 3: Peter Mahotiere'18
 - 2: Kevin O'Neill '18
 - 1: Brendan Girouard '18

Freshmen 8+
- Cox: Ana Song '18
 - 8: Tim Philips '17
 - 7: Frazier Fernandez '18
 - 6: Matt McDevitt '18
 - 5: David Desino '18
 - 4: Matias Sejersen '18
 - 3: Peter Mahotiere'18
 - 2: Andrew Belack '18
 - 1: Jake Kraus '18