Spartans Compete at Dad Vail Regatta

PHILADELPHIA - The University of Tampa rowing team competed at the Dad Vail Regatta, which is regarded as the elite race for collegiate rowers.

Megan Richardson and Brianna Vaughn participated in the women's pair for the Spartans, placing second in their heat, advancing to the semifinals on Saturday.

In the semifinals, the pair placed second behind UMass-Amherst, beating Nova Southeastern, Eastern Michigan, Pittsburgh, and Duke. They advanced to the final where they placed fourth over the original 24 teams entered in the race.

On Saturday, Taylor DeMesa placed fourth in the semifinal of the Women's Open Collegiate 1x Exhibition. She did not qualify for the final, but was only four seconds behind the final qualifier.

On Friday, Melissa Ciesielski, Polly Palhano, Mary Lee Gibson, Cecily Wood, and coxswain, Melanie Hindley participated in the Women's Lightweight Four with Cox. They placed fourth in the semifinal heat. The top 3 boats advanced to finals.