NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Sailing opens the season with three in-conference events this weekend. The Monarchs are on the road at the Navy Fall Women's Regatta, the Laser South Qualifier and will open at home with the Riley Cup.
The Navy Fall Women's sees junior Elizabeth Gildea returning with senior Katherine Barton in A division, while sophomore Allison Jeanne Volk and freshman Emma Friedauer sail in B division. Gildea is a two-year starter for the Monarchs and Barton a three year starter. Volk is making her doublehanded helm debut and Friedeauer is making her first career start. The Monarchs look to build on a 23rd overall ranking last spring and made an appearance at Women's College Sailing Nationals. While the loss of five-year starter Bridget Groble will be felt, the incoming class is talented and eager to compete.
At the Laser South Qualifier, sophomore Finn Ciszewski, sophomore Ian Slayter and freshman Parker Younger look to qualify for a spot at the conference championships. Ciszewski and Younger both sailed the Laser this summer and are hoping to be present at the College Sailing Singlehanded Championships, hosted at ODU this fall. The top nine sailors from the south qualifier will advance to the MAISA Singlehanded Championships. From there, the top finisher will earn an automatic qualification to Nationals, while the rest of the field is selected by committee.
Opening with a home event, the Monarchs will field two teams at the Riley Cup this weekend. Senior Parker Purrington and sophomore Isabelle Kanach will start in A division for Team Monarchs, with freshman Tyler Brown and freshman Lindsay Kaufmann are in B division. For Team Big Blue, Senior Rider Odom and Junior Alivia Markham will make the start in A division with freshman Diogo Silva and Asia Acosta in B division. The Monarchs finished last season with a 22nd overall ranking and a trip to the Open College Sailing Nationals. Purrington and Odom are both three-year starters for the Monarchs. Kanach was a standout freshman crew last year and returns as one of the veterans on the team. Brown, Kaufmann, Silva and Ascosta all make their debut for the Monarchs. First start at the home event is 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.
Sailing Opens 2022 Season this Weekend
