Dad Vail Schedule | Live Results

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University rowing team will look to build on their previous success at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta this weekend when the Patriots wrap up their season at one of the country's largest collegiate sporting events.
 
For the first time in the program's recent history, the Patriots will send both a Varsity 8+ crew and a Second Varsity 8+, speaking to the depth and progression of Mason Rowing.
 
"I'm excited we are able to take two boats to Dad Vails this year," head coach Ted Nagorsen said. "This is a great group. We're looking forward to the opportunity and hoping to represent the Mason name well."
 
The Varsity 8+ competition at the Dad Vail Regatta begins with a time trial format on Friday morning, with the top-12 teams advancing to Friday afternoon semifinal action. Mason's time trial is scheduled for approximately 9:56 a.m. Other Varsity 8+ programs in the regatta include Boston University, Ohio State, Florida and Purdue, as well as A-10 programs Fordham, Massachusetts and Saint Joseph's.
 
Mason is seeded eighth amongst Varsity 8+ teams. The team's best finish at Dad Vails came last year, when Mason finished seventh, just one spot out of the grand final.
 
"This is the highest seed we've had in quite a few years," Nagorsen said. "Our goal this year is to get into the grand final. We'll see where we stack up Friday."
 
The Second Varsity 8+ competition at Dad Vails consists of heats first, then the finals. Mason's 1:35 p.m. heat on Friday includes Keystone State opponents Drexel, Saint Joseph's and Duquesne. Grand and petite finals will be held on Saturday morning.
 
"If the Second Varsity 8+ puts together a good race and rows to its ability, our student-athletes could get into the grand final. We made a lineup change – it's the same crew, just different seats within the boat. They're working with [Coach] Ellie [Hilton] this week. They've had some good practices leading into the regatta so hopefully we can see some speed as a result."
 
About the Dad Vail Regatta
North America's largest collegiate regatta will celebrate its 80th Anniversary this weekend as over 100 schools and 3,500 rowers from across United States and Canada converge on the historic Schuykill River in Philadelphia on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 for the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO.
 
About Henry "Dad" Vail
Harry Emerson "Dad" Vail was one of America's early college coaches. He coached at the University of Wisconsin between 1911 and the late 1920's. His crews competed against great odds since there was little support for the sport and little rowing took place in Wisconsin. Crew candidates often went out for other sports. He persisted, however, drawing on a lovable personality and great respect for hard work. His efforts were recognized more widely outside the Badger State than where he coached. He died on October 8, 1928. The regatta is lovingly named for him.