Drexel Crew Three-peats at Dad Vail Regatta

Drexel crew celebrating their third straight overall championship at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta.

For the third year in the row, the Dragons dominated on the Schuylkill River, securing the third overall championship at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta in as many years.

“[Although] we had won the two years leading in, this was still a totally unique team that had to find a way to win it on their own,” Drexel crew coach Paul Savell said. “They don’t just hand you the title because you’ve won in the past. You have to earn it. They did it, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Drexel amassed 42 points in this year’s regatta, winning handily the University of Delaware, which took second place with 34 points, and Bucknell University, which finished third with 33 points.

Six of Drexel’s boats managed to place during Saturday’s finals.

The second men’s varsity eight and the men’s freshman eight both took home gold medals.

Additionally, the men’s varsity four boat took silver and the women’s varsity eight, the men’s first varsity eight and the men’s freshman four all took bronze.

“The team title is something that we’ve been talking about since September and focused on all year,” said Savell. “Every member of the team has been vital to winning this team championship. All of the coaches were happy that each of the boats were able to perform at such a high caliber.”

In the men’s category, Drexel finished in first place as well, amassing 30 points to second place Delaware’s 25.

“Each boat faced very tough competition but was able to pull through in the end,” Savell said.

Savell coached his crew to their third straight overall championship in the prestigious regatta soon after he was won the Matt Ledwidth Award as best collegiate coach of the year.

Since 2007, Savell has led the Dragons on the water. It is the first time a Drexel crew coach has won the Matt Ledwidth Award.

In the midst of this unprecedented Drexel crew dynasty, is it too early to think of a four-peat?