How ‘belief, trust, and ambition’ powered Drexel back to the top at the Dad Vail Regatta
The Dragons claimed the overall point trophy and men’s point trophy, as its varsity eight boat secured first place. Temple won the women’s overall point trophy.
It’s hard to slay the Dragons, especially on the water.
The Drexel rowing team returned to glory at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta on Saturday at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, finishing first in the men’s varsity eight grand final as well as placing first overall for both the men’s point trophy and the overall point trophy. Temple and La Salle came in second and third, respectively, for the men’s and overall trophies.
In 2024, Drexel men’s varsity eight was the first program to complete a three-peat in the event since 2001. Drexel then finished third last year, with Temple securing first and La Salle coming in second.
But the Dragons found their way to the top of the podium again, winning in 5 minutes, 37.120 seconds, edging out the reigning champions by more than a second.
“It was just a product of a really good year, really good guys,” head coach Matt Weaver said. “The seniors last year left us a really good message, and the guys capitalized on that all year.”
That message focused on executing the little things so that the results would take care of themselves. That’s what happened during the grand final, as senior Jonathan Andersson said the Dragons executed their race plan exactly how they had hoped.
Drexel and Temple, which clocked in at 5:38.350, remained close for most of the race, but in the final 500 meters, Drexel made a sprint to the final buoy.
“We’ve always known we’ve had a strong start and strong finish,” Andersson said. “Our main issue in previous races has been just finding that good base and really trusting it. As our coach said, it’s all about getting that heart in that third 500 to really push in, dig in, and trust that we’re going to sprint through and we’re going to take that win.”
Teammate Andrei Malis said someone’s attitude makes them a champion, and that’s what the boat bought into on Saturday to give them the edge over the other Big 5 schools.
“Everything about this race was about belief, trust, and ambition,” Malis said. “When it came to speed, we were pretty much the same, but I think we edged it when it came to trust and belief.”
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La Salle, which finished third at 5:42.530, also consistently has been a top-three finisher.
Rowing on the Schuylkill River, Weaver said, helps foster a familiarity and rivalry between the local programs to move up in national rankings.
“Every day we get to see Temple, La Salle, St, Joe’s. So we all kind of push each other,” Weaver said. “Really fortunate to have those guys around. And our biggest competition is our biggest asset.”
MIT finished fourth, joining Drexel, Temple, and La Salle as qualifiers for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championships.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the women’s varsity openweight eight being a category at the regatta. MIT’s boat, comprised of the Beavers’ lightweight crew, recorded its first first-place finish in this event at Dad Vail.
MIT also took home the Evelyn Bergman trophy in the varsity eight grand final, in 6:34.260. Temple placed second (6:36.990) and Drexel (6:38.880), which was hoping to three-peat, came in third.
For the women’s overall point trophy, MIT came in third. Temple finished first, with Georgetown and Drexel tied for second.