WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University coed and women's sailing teams have started their fall season with exceptional results, securing two conference championships, major regatta victories and multiple qualifications for national finals.
 
Hoya Women's Team Secures Victories and Championship Berth
 
The Hoya women's team is off to a powerful start, highlighted by a victory at the Navy Fall Women's Regatta. At that event, the duo of Kelly Bates and Anna Brzezinski won the A division, while Emily Doble and Ellie Smith secured a strong fourth place finish in the B division.
 
The team's momentum continued at the Atlantic Coast Championship Semifinals at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  In a tight battle with Dartmouth, Tufts and Yale, the Hoyas finished an impressive second overall, just two points out of first place. Bates and Brzezinski earned second in A division, a result mirrored by Doble and Smith, who also finished second in B division. This performance qualifies the women's team for the Atlantic Coast Championship at MIT in two weeks.
 
In individual competition at the MAISA Women's Singlehanded Championship, senior Alexa Shea finished in 10th place, while sophomore Abi Chang ended the event in 14th.
 
Coed Team Claims Two Conference Titles, Punches Tickets to Nationals
 
The Hoya coed team has already clinched two significant conference championships this fall season. At the MAISA Match Race Championship, the team of Enzo Menditto, Bates, Peter Barnard and Peter Herlihy delivered a perfect performance. They swept Navy in the final round to finish with an undefeated 8-0 record, earning a berth at the National Championships this November in St. Petersburg, Florida.
 
The team captured another title at the MAISA Men's Singlehanded Championships, where Barnard won the event, securing his place at the national championships. The Hoyas showcased remarkable depth in the 18-boat field, with freshman Owen Kohut sailing a solid regatta to finish a close second overall, putting him in contention for an at-large bid. Freshman Peter Herlihy also sailed quite well, finishing in fifth place.
 
Coed Team Posts Strong Results in Doublehanded Regattas
 
At the Chesapeake Invite, the team finished third overall. Menditto and classmate Margot Gordon finished second in A division sitting just one point out of first, while Barnard and sophomore Teddy Stoldt finished eighth. Herlihy and sophomore Scarlett Harris took ninth in the event.
 
At the Chesapeake Open, Kohut and Smith dominated the event to take first place overall. Other Hoya finishes included senior Benjamin Smith and sophomore Abi Chang in fourth, sophomore Jake Julien and freshman Irene Lin tied for 10th, and seniors Xavier Stoldt and Meredith Kean in 14th.