Rowing Head of Charles Regatta

Drexel's men's varsity eight crew took first place in the Collegiate Men's Eight division at the Head of the Charles Regatta.

Drexel continued its ascent to the upper ranks of collegiate rowing as the Dragons’ men’s varsity eight boat took first place at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. The men's eight, who played a role in Drexel's team championship at the Dad Vail Regatta this past spring, beat out 40 other teams in the largest head race of the fall rowing season.

To claim victory in the head race -which pitted boats against each other in a time trial format on the Charles River- the Drexel men pulled their way down the river's three-mile course in just over 15 minutes and 22 seconds. The Dragons narrowly beat out crews from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia to take first in the Collegiate Men's Eight final.

Coxswain Marc Smith, guided the Lois Krall boat crewed by stroke Mikulas Sum, Ivo Krakic, Sebastian Ryan, Nicholas Capaldi, Ian Luetzow, John Pieper, Daniel Palombo and bow Dave Hanrahan.

The men's eight's first place finish was the best showing for the Dragons’ rowing program at the Head of the Charles and continued its steady progression of success under Head Coach Paul Savell that includes winning the Bergen and Kelly Cups last year, claiming the Dad Vail championship and earning an invitation to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.

The Dragons will wrap up their fall season with appearances at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta -on the team’s home river- on Oct. 26 and the Frostbite Regatta on Nov. 9 in Cherry Hill, N.J.