OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR, Va. – Adrian Rowing traveled to Virginia this weekend to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference Championships. On a Sunday marked by torrential rain, and a morning thunderstorm, the Varsity Eight produced its strongest ever finish at a fully booked Conference Championship race.
 
The Bulldogs, seeded third entering the weekend, started the day well with a second place finish in their heat securing a berth in the Grand Finals. Coming into the Finals, Adrian would have to finish top of the Varsity rowing programs at the Championships in order to secure an automatic qualifying bid to the 2023 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta. Starting off hard, the bulldogs were able to jump ahead of closest varsity competitor Catholic University, at which point the crew never looked back, extending their margin to 7 seconds by the end of the course to secure a first ever varsity eight medal at a full strength conference championship, as well as the much coveted bid to Nationals.
 
To add to an already successful day, Seth Parsons (SO) and Evan Becker (SR) were named to the All-Conference First Team, while Franco Van Oordt (JR) was named to the All-Conference Second Team. Additionally, Freshman Cole Rice was named to the All-Novice Conference Team.
 
Rounding off the day, Head Coach Sam Pratt was named MARC Men's Coach of the Year after a vote by fellow head coaches of all competing schools.
 
"This was a fantastic day and really felt like the fulfillment of the last two years of promise this team has shown," Said Coach Pratt, "We were within touching distance of the medals last season, and to put forth such a strong effort in the Final this year was really special to see. Our all-conference members are so deserving of their awards, but truly each and every member of the team could have justifiably received the accolades. I'm also so honored to have received the Coach of the Year award, and feel that it really shows the strength of the team we've built here this year. The medals, and awards won today were really about every member of the team, and I can't wait to watch us race at the National Championships to finish out in style!"
 
The Bulldogs will race twice in the postseason, firstly at the NIRC regatta in Worcester MA on 5/12, and again at the National Championships on Lake Mercer from 6/2-6/4!
 
 
Lineup:
 
Men's Varsity 8+:
C: Sam Wyzlic (SO)
S. Seth Parsons (SO)
7. Evan Becker (SR)
6. Franco Van Oordt (JR)
5. Kade Doyle (SO)
4. Cole Rice (FR)
3. Andre Shellum (JR)
2. Rudy Schork (5thYR)
B. Evan Barletta (S))