Sept. 11, 2006

Washington, D.C. - Coming off its best year in program history, the Georgetown University sailing program opened up the 2006 fall season this weekend at four regattas. The Hoyas placed third at both the Riley Cup and the Fall Open, finished seventh at the Captain Hurst Bowl and had varied individual results at the Navy Laser Open.

At the Riley Cup, hosted by Old Dominion University, Georgetown, with 103 points over the 24 races, were barely edged by Penn (99) and Washington College (100) for the first spot. In the A Division, sophomores Nik Holtan (Larchmont, N.Y./Mamaroneck) and Andrea Bailey were first with 45 points, ahead of Penn (52) and Washington College (54). The pair won four races and was among the top-five in 10 of the 12 races. Meanwhile, in the 12 B division races, the Hoyas were third with 58 points, being led by a pair of newcomers - Marco Teixidor and Alex Taylor. The freshmen won three races and were in the top-five nine times.

At the Fall Open, hosted by Cornell University, the Hoyas settled into third place with 140 points in 28 races, trailing Hobart/William Smith, who cruised to a victory with 44 points, and the host Big Red with 100. Sophomores Emily Babbitt (Dartmouth, Mass./Bishop Stang) and Sprague Brodie (Duxbury, Mass./Milton Academy) were third in the A division with 59 points, winning twice and placing in the top-five in 11 of the 14 starts. On the B side, seniors Jessica Stewart (Toms River, N.J./Toms River South) and Theresa Salerno (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) placed fourth with 81 points and seven top-five finishes.

At the Captain Hurst Bowl, hosted by Dartmouth College, Georgetown was seventh with 156 points, led by a strong performance by junior Chris Behm (Hampton, Va./Hampton Roads Academy) and sophomore Carly Chamberlain (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) in the A division. Behm and Chamberlain won the A side with 51 points over the eight races. The Hoyas struggled in the B division, placing 15th.

Georgetown had two individuals compete in the Navy Laser Open at the U.S. Naval Academy. Senior Langdon Mitchell (Riverside, Conn./Greenwich) was the top Hoya finisher in 16th place, while newcomer Hugh McBride was 23rd.

The Hoyas return to the water on Saturday and Sunday for three events - the Nevins Trophy, the Mrs. Hurst Bowl and the Ocean County Fall Regatta.