9:53 a.m., May 12, 2008--The University of Delaware varsity eights and novice eights crews both advanced out of their heats to lead the Fightin' Blue Hens women's rowing team at the 70th annual Dad Vail Regatta held Friday and Saturday on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

The novice eights team finished second in its heat to advance to the semifinals, in which it finished fifth, while the varsity eights team finished fourth in its heat to advance to the repechage round, in which it finished fifth.

In other events, Delaware finished fourth in its heat in the second varsity eights, fourth in its heat in the novice fours, and fifth in its heat in the varsity fours race.

The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States with more than 100 schools participating. The event closed out the 2008 season for the Blue Hens, the fifth under Head Coach Laura Slice.

The novice eights crew of coxswain Marra Green, Tracy Iudica, Leanna Colubriale, Sara Leviton, Steph Lynch, Katelyn Huber, Corey Kalota, Kaitlin Roehrer and Sarah Baillie rowed to a time of 6:59.651 to finish second behind winner St. Joseph's (6:47.808). St. Joseph's also won the semifinal race with a clocking of 6:40.101. Alabama was second, followed by Ohio State, Marist, Delaware (6:56.386) and West Virginia.

The varsity eights crew of coxswain Callie Tegan, Mary Grace Maggiano, Darra Finnerty, Regine Adrien, Liz Cretekos, Elizabeth Carey, Lana Rivers, Meredith Rubin and Lisa Medina finished fourth in its heat with a clocking of 7:00.739 to advance.

San Diego won the heat in a time of 6:31.000 followed by St. Mary's, Marist, Delaware and Florida. In the repechage round, Santa Clara won the race in a time of 6:33.365, followed by Murray State, Villanova, Binghamton, and Delaware (7:00.054).

The varsity fours crew of coxswain Amanda Burton, Alexx Delorme, Lily Chavarriaga, Erin Venturato and Grace Bennett finished fifth in its heat with a time of 8:24.286. Long Beach won the heat with a time of 7:30.889, followed by Stetson, Hofstra, Catholic and Delaware.

The second varsity eights crew of coxswain Avery Griffin, Katie Gooding, Clare Wardwell, Arielle Katz, Taima McCartney, Laura Stiffler, Maureen Reardon, Nicolette Lotrionte and Brittany Hayes rowed to a time of 7:00.027 to finish ourth in its heat. Massachusetts won the heat in a time of 6:33.143, and was followed by George Mason, Marist, Delaware and Army.

The novice fours squad of coxswain Jen Popkin, Rachel Waylett, Lindsay Byrne, Valerie Glace and Tara Bree rowed to a time of 7:55.230 to finish fourth in its heat, behind winner Franklin Pierce (7:42.288), Long Beach and Fairfield.

For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].