Sept. 28, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. - Three Old Dominion University sailors put forth stellar efforts this weekend to advance to singlehanded championship events. On the women's side, both Katrina Williams and Morgan Wilson qualified for their third ICSA Singlehanded National Championship, while on the men's side, Collin Leon will move on to compete at the MAISA Men's Singlehanded Championship.
In an 18-person field at the Faye Bennet MAISA Women's Singlehanded Championship, with only the top four advancing to nationals, Williams claimed second and Wilson finished fourth. In 18 races, Williams had 12 top-five results, including five first-place finishes. Wilson was equally impressive with 13 top-five finishes and one win. The duo will now prepare to represent the MAISA at the ISCA Women's Singlehanded Nationals in Corpus Christi, Texas on Nov. 6-8.
In another highly competitive field at the Laser South #2, Leon claimed fourth in the 16-person field to earn one of the four spots in the Carl Van Duyne MAISA Men's Singlehanded Championship that will be held at King's Point on Oct. 10-11. Leon had seven top-five finishes in 16 races, including one win and three seconds. Perhaps his biggest effort came in the final race in which he finished second to increase his one point lead on fifth place finisher Scott Furnary of Georgetown.
ODU sailing also competed in the St. Mary's Open this past weekend, finishing amongst the top-four south teams. This result qualifies the Monarchs for the War Memorial Regatta Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at St. Mary's College. The A Division duo of Kevin Shockey and Jessica Milligan posted two top-five finishes, while the B Division tandem of Wilson Stout and Ashley Brusso had five top-five finishes and a win in the sixth race.
-ODU-