FIT Men’s Varsity Four Captures Gold at Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta

Gold Medalist Men’s Varsity Four and friends
Gold Medal Is Crew’s Third in Program History
Florida Tech’s varsity four won its third gold medal in program history in May at the 75th anniversary of the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta on the Schuylkill River. The Panthers won by 9.5 seconds at 6:39.17. The next closest boat was Wentworth Institute of Technology at 6:48.62. Oklahoma City, Rollins, Georgia Tech and Philadelphia came in third through sixth, in order. Capturing gold were coxswain Jacqueline Horbert, stroke Troy Toggweiler, Alec Bertossa, Jose Gomez-Feria and bow Frank Campione.
“We knew all year we had 12 really good rowers,” head coach Jim Granger said. “We built the boats around which guys were making the boats row the best. It was evident early on that the four with that lineup was clicking.“
FIT’s varsity eight, ranked No. 18 in the latest US Rowing Collegiate Poll, won bronze in its event at 5:45.46. Drexel took first at 5:42.60. Michigan State edged the Panthers for second at 5:44.66.
Earning bronze were coxswain Jessica Mellinger; stroke Ernestas Zarskis, Jonas Karalius, Mindaugas Beliauskas, Martynas Mickus, Joe Horn, Plamen Ivanov and John Martin; and bow Carson Green.