September 16, 2002
WC Finishes 7th at Captain Hurst
Team Also Takes 4th at Riley Cup

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- The Washington College sailing team turned in what may well be its finest performance ever in a national level event this past weekend, finishing seventh of 24 teams at the Captain Hurst Bowl, hosted by Dartmouth College. WC placed ahead of no fewer than five nationally-ranked schools at the event. WC also sent sailors to the Riley Cup, a regional event hosted by Old Dominion, this weekend and finished fourth of 16 schools at that event.

At the Captain Hurst, WC's seventh place finish topped those of No. 9 King's Point (15th), No. 11 Georgetown (12th), No. 12 Boston College (eighth), No. 13 Brown (ninth), and No. 17 Rhode Island (11th). The seventh place showing was eight spots better than last year, when WC finished 15th.

Washington's effort was spearheaded by junior skipper Mike Buckley (Sandwich, MA/Tabor Academy) who, along with sophomore crew Diane Morrow (Tabernacle, NJ/Shawnee), finished in fourth place and ahead of several 2002 All-Americans in A Division. In B Division, sophomore skipper Colin Robertson (Annapolis, MD/St. Mary's) and junior crew Jen Hanley (Sparks, MD/Maryvale Prep) finished 11th.

Host Dartmouth, currently ranked fifth, won the event, finishing first in both divisions. Third-ranked Tufts came in second overall and top-ranked Harvard took third.

Saturday's races at the Captain Hurst were sailed in a south breeze of 8-12 knots and temperatures in the 80s. Sunday saw a shifty southwest breeze of 8-15 knots, overcast skies, and temperatures in the high 70s.

At the Riley Cup, WC's fourth-place finish was led by freshman skipper Carl Horracks, who teamed with freshman crew Beth Hendee to finish first in B Division. Sophomores Nathan St. Onge (Hyannis, MD/Barnstable) and Sonni Lange (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West) finished fifth in A Division.

St. Mary's (MD) College won the Riley Cup, followed by Georgetown in second and Old Dominion's "Silver" team, which won A Division, in third. Saturday's races were sailed in an oscillating southerly win of 10-15 knots under gusty conditions. Sunday featured an oscillating southerly win of 6-12 knots.

WC will compete at the Nevins Trophy at King's Point this Saturday and Sunday.

COMPLETE CAPTAIN HURST RESULTS AT COLLEGE SAILING.ORG