ERIE, Pa. - Last Saturday, despite soggy weather conditions, the campus of Mercyhurst was crawling with alumni in attendance for the University's annual Homecoming weekend, as well as parents visiting their current students for Parents' Weekend.  Along with the expected fanfare associated with Homecoming, namely a dominant football win over a local conference rival and defending PSAC West Champions, Slippery Rock University (38-23), the men's and women's rowing teams were recognized mid-field before kickoff.

The lightweight men's eight of Jeffrey Thiede, Ivan Palikuca, Xavier Alexander, Jake Schuppe, Dave Cullmer, Sam Rouse, Marcin Osajda, Zack Pappas, and Caleb Schuder earned the Thomas W. Loschiavo trophy at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta last May. The men's eight defeated Fordham, Purdue, Michigan University, Saint Joseph's, and highly favored Delaware by six seconds to win Mercyhurst's third consecutive lightweight eight championship.

The women's eight of Lindsey Crosby, Kate Moran, Jessica Olson, Amanda Carlyon, Jaimee Lampard, Jordan Herbert, Amanda Primett, Arden Gill, and Michelle Denninger earned Mercyhurst's fourth consecutive Dad Vail Championship, a feat that has never been accomplished in the history of the event.  The women raced past Division II rivals UMass Lowell, Barry, Grand Valley, Central Oklahoma, and a very fast Nova Southeastern to win by four seconds.

Both the men and women are coached by Adrian Spracklen, head coach, and Jamie Francis, assistant coach.  “We're very pleased that Aberdeen Asset Management has brought more exposure to the Dad Vail Regatta and to those athletes that have achieved success at the Dad Vail,” said Spracklen.  “Winning is unusual and winning consistently is even more difficult; credit to the athletes for their continued dedication and hard work.”

Both the men and women will open their fall racing season on October 13th in Rochester, New York and the Head of the Genesee on their quest to continue their Dad Vail streak.